When restaurants talk greatly about other restaurants, it’s a recipe for crowning achievements across the board.

Being the first ever industry-driven awards, the Saucy Awards are becoming hot news for their unbiased opinions on what? Food. Sorry, terrible critics, who want to have the last laugh but the heart of soul of the Bay Area lies with the people who feed it.

Without further ado, here are the winners of this year’s Saucy Awards 2017; the winners are bolded in their lists:

Chef of the Year:

Jordan Keao of ‘aina
Stuart Brioza of The Progress
Srijith Gopinathan of Taj Campton Place
Melissa Perello of Octavia and Frances

Pastry Chef of the Year:

Lori Baker of Bluestem Brasserie
Sarah Bonar of Octavia
Sarah Rich of Rich Table
Julie Vandermeersch of Vive La Tarte

Rising Chef of the Year:

Adam Tortosa of Robin
Audie Golder of Jardinière
Rachel Aronow of The Alembic
Gaby Maeda of State Bird Provisions

Sous Chef of the Year:

Chris Yang of āina
Sam Situ of China Live
Jeff Bloam of Mezcalito
Christian Reynoso of Zuni Cafe

Restaurateur of the Year:

Ryan Cole & Jason Halverson of Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group
Traci Des Jardins of Jardinière and Mijita Cocina Mexicana; chef/partner of Public House, The Commissary, and Arguello
Adriano Paganini of Back of the House Inc.
Evan & Sarah Rich of Rich Table & RT Rotisserie

Beverage Professional of the Year:

Brandon Clements of The Saratoga
Danny Louie of Mister Jiu’s
Ilya Romanov of The Dorian
Thad Vogler of Trou Normand, Bar Agricole, and the soon-to-open Obispo rum bar

Employee of the Year:

Stuart Furtwangler of Fogo de Chao
Felipe Cardenas of Souvla
Jeanine Gade-Anderson of Pizzeria Delfina Mission, Delfina Restaurant Group
Su Q. Xu of SCOMA’S