Rising Stars of 1999
And so we continue on our tour of past editions of the Chronicle’s annual Rising Star Chef groups. This afternoon, we set the dial to 1999. That year, the Black Cat was the hottest restaurant in town. Its sister restaurant, Rose Pistola, wasn’t far behind, though its perch atop the city’s Italian hierarchy would soon be challenged by a newcomer named Delfina. Ron Siegel had just triumphed on Iron Chef.
Actually, 1999 was a pretty amazing time for restaurant openings: In addition to the aforementioned Delfina, recent debuts also included Kokkari, Bouchon, Foreign Cinema, Fifth Floor, Gary Danko, Gordon’s House of Fine Eats, Maya and more.
These were the Rising Stars:
Ron Siegel
1999 Quote: “You have to ask yourself, ‘Are you a chef or a celebrity?’ I’m a chef. I just like to cook.”
Then: Chef at Charles Nob Hill.
Now: Chef at Parallel 37.
Craig Stoll
Quote: “I never set out to reinvent anything. I’d rather make the most perfect steak frite or beautiful lamb jus.”
Then: Chef-owner of Delfina
Now: Chef-owner of Delfina, Pizzeria Delfina (two locations) and Locanda.
Richard Reddington
Quote: “Some cooks get it and some cooks don’t.”
Then: Chef at Chapeau.
Now: Chef-owner of Redd and the newly opened Redd Wood, both in Yountville.
Chad Callahan
Quote: “I feel as if the rules have really changed now about what people are deeming four-star food. I think they want things that are approachable.”
Then: Executive chef at Masa’s, succeeding Julian Serrano.
Now: Unknown. His last stop was Fish in Sausalito, where he was also a partner.
Heather Ho
Quote: “Desserts should be neat and tidy and not too big; there are no doggie bags for dessert.”
Then: Pastry chef at Boulevard. She moved on to work at Windows on the World, the restaurant in the World Trade Center, and was one of the victims of 9/11. She was 32.
Sarah Lambert
Quote: “I don’t want everything to taste of sugar.”
Then: Owner of Patisserie Lambert in Mill Valley.
Now: Unknown. Patisserie Lambert is closed.
· Previously: The Class of 1994 [Inside Scoop]
· Previously: The Class of 2002 [Inside Scoop]
· Previously: The Class of 2006 [Inside Scoop]
Contact Inside Scoop at insidescoopsf@sfgate.com.