News Chefs The People's Best New Chef: Midwest Contenders At F&W, we name America’s 10 most brilliant up-and-coming chefs every year. Now we want to know who you think is the most talented new chef in America. By F&W Editors Updated on May 23, 2017 Share Tweet Pin Email At F&W, we name America’s 10 most brilliant up-and-coming chefs every year. Now we want to know who you think is the most talented new chef in America. Regions:California, Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, New York Area, Northwest & Pacific, Southeast, Southwest Midwest Chefs Paul Berglund Thomas Boemer Ryan Brazeal Tim Dahl Dan Fox Thomas Hauck Ben Poremba Patrick Ryan Carl Thorne-Thomsen Cassy Vires Photo © Greg Jansen Paul Berglund Restaurant: The Bachelor Farmer (Read a review) Location: Minneapolis Why He's Amazing: Because he's redefining Nordic cooking in Minnesota with his sophisticated and modern treatment of its humble ingredients. Culinary School: Self-taught background: Oliveto (/sites/default/files/akland, CA), Rustica Bakery (Minneapolis), Heartland Restaurant (St. Paul) More on Paul Berglund Photo © Megan Hoy Thomas Boemer Restaurant: Corner Table (Read a review) Location: Minneapolis Why He's Amazing: Because he combines European techniques, Low-Country influences and prime Midwestern ingredients in clever ways. Culinary School: Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts (Mendota Heights, MN) background: Hotel Sofitel, 20.21 (/sites/default/files/inneapolis); Mandalay Bay, Mix (Las Vegas) More on Thomas Boemer Photo © Paul Andrews, courtesy of KC Magazine Ryan Brazeal Restaurant: Novel (Read a review) Location: Kansas City, MO Why He's Amazing: Because he's brought a refined sensibility to seasonal Midwestern ingredients in dishes like chilled corn soup with seaweed, fermented crab paste, marinated clams and jalapeño. Culinary School: Johnson County Community College (Overland Park, KS) background: Má Pêche, Allen & Delancey, Country, Nobu 57 (/sites/default/files/ew York City) More on Ryan Brazeal Photo courtesy of Tim Dahl. Tim Dahl Restaurant: Nostrano (Read a review) Location: Madison, WI Why He's Amazing: Because although he trained as a pastry chef, Dahl's Italian-inflected savory dishes are incredibly spot-on. Culinary School: Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts (Mendota Heights, MN) background: Blackbird, Avec, NoMI (/sites/default/files/hicago) More on Tim Dahl Photo © Nicole Peaslee Dan Fox Restaurant: Heritage Tavern (Read a review) Location: Madison, WI Why He's Amazing: Because not only is his Asian-accented cooking both hearty and refined, he also raises his own heritage pigs. Culinary School: Kendall College (Chicago) background: The Madison Club (/sites/default/files/adison); Spring, Everest (Chicago) More on Dan Fox Photo © Kevin J. Miyazaki Thomas Hauck Restaurant: C. 1880 (Read a review) Location: Milwaukee Why He's Amazing: Because of the unexpected flavors in his hyper-seasonal cooking, for instance, venison with coffee and pasilla crust, served with cabbage and Bosc pear slaw. Culinary School: The Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY) background: Le Globe (/sites/default/files/erpignan, France), l'Essentiel (Chambéry, France), Citronelle (Washington, DC), Mason Street Grill (Milwaukee) More on Thomas Hauck Photo © Greg Rannells Ben Poremba Restaurants: Elaia, Olio (Read a review) Location: St. Louis Why He's Amazing: Because he ingeniously serves upscale and rustic interpretations of Mediterranean ingredients in side-by-side restaurants. And the food is delicious. Culinary School: Self-taught background: The Maryland House (/sites/default/files/t. Louis) More on Ben Poremba Photo © Lyndon Wade/The Wade Brothers Patrick Ryan Restaurant: Port Fonda (Read a review) Location: Kansas City, MO Why He's Amazing: His food truck was such a sensation, he had to open a restaurant to meet the demand for his deftly spiced regional Mexican cooking. Culinary School: The Western Culinary Institute (Portland, OR) background: Frontera Grill, Topolobampo (/sites/default/files/hicago); Room 39, The River Club (Kansas City, MO) More on Patrick Ryan Photo © Matt Kocourek Carl Thorne-Thomsen Restaurant: Story (Read a review) Location: Prairie Village, KS Why He's Amazing: Because he's turning out incredible European-inspired dishes in a shopping center in suburban Kansas. Culinary School: Self-taught background: 40 Sardines (/sites/default/files/verland Park, KS); Michael Smith Restaurant, Extra Virgin (Kansas City, MO) More on Carl Thorne-Thomsen Photo © Jennifer Silverberg Cassy Vires Restaurant: Home Wine Kitchen, Table (Read a review) Location: Maplewood, MO; St. Louis Why She's Amazing: Because she channeled her love for throwing dinner parties for friends into a full-time career, serving delicious, inspired New American dishes. Culinary School: The Art Institute of Houston background: Ernesto's Wine Bar, Viking Cooking School (/sites/default/files/t. Louis) More on Cassy Vires Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit