Chef Kelly English named “2009 Best New Chef” by Food & Wine Magazine

Food & Wine magazine has named Kelly English, chef and owner of midtown Memphis’ French-Creole restaurant Restaurant Iris, as one of its “Best New Chefs” for 2009.

Food & Wine is America’s premier talent-seeking epicurean magazine, and has been spotting rising stars since 1988. The “Best New Chef” designation is awarded to exceptionally talented men and women who are pushing culinary boundaries in America. Every year, Food & Wine works with a nominating committee of experts around the country to help identify the most promising talents. Then the editors hit the road to eat incognito at the restaurants.

English is the second Memphis-based chef to receive the honor, which was awarded to Chef Jose Gutierrez (Encore) in 1990. Previous winners include such noted chefs as Daniel Boulud (Daniel), Thomas Keller (The French Laundry and Per Se), Tom Colicchio (Craft and co-host of Top Chef) and English’s mentor, Chef John Besh (Restaurant August, Besh Steak, La Provence, and Lüke).

“I consider myself to be extremely lucky to join the ranks of such a remarkable group of chefs,” he says. “It’s very humbling; there are so many talented chefs out there who deserve to be recognized. Hopefully, this will give a boost to the Memphis dining scene.”

English learned the news a month ago, but was sworn to secrecy by the Food & Wine staff.

“It was challenging to keep such an exciting secret,” admits English. “But out of respect for Food & Wine, I kept my mouth shut. Now that it’s been announced, I can start thanking people for their help in the restaurant’s success.”

English and the other chefs will appear on the cover of Food & Wine‘s July 2009 issue and will cook for an audience of 800 at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado June 19-21, 2009. The Aspen Classic has been the premier culinary and wine event in the country for 27 years, offering guests cooking demonstrations, food samplings and wine tastings. Seminars led by food and wine superstars such as Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Danny Meyer, Giada De Laurentiis, Dan Philips and Joshua Wesson provide a world-class educational and entertaining experience.

Restaurant Iris opened its doors one year ago today and has earned many impressive accolades in its first year, including a glowing four-star review from Memphis’ Commercial Appeal, as well as the honors of “Best New Restaurant,” “Best Service,” and “Most Romantic Restaurant” by Memphis Magazine. Restaurant Iris was also awarded four and a half out of five stars by Memphis Magazine, voted “Best New Restaurant” by the Memphis Flyer, was named “Editors Choice: Best Restaurant” by At Home Tennessee, “Best Bet Outside of Louisiana” by Louisiana Life Magazine, and “Hot New Restaurant” by Delta Magazine. 

Restaurant Iris is located at 2146 Monroe Avenue, Memphis TN 38104. Visit www.restaurantiris.com or call 901.590.2828 for more information.

The 2009 Best New Chefs include:

Nate Appleman: A16 and SPQR, San Francisco

Bryan Caswell: Reef, Houston

Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook: Animal, Los Angeles

Kelly English: Restaurant Iris, Memphis

Mark Fuller: Spring Hill, Seattle

Linton Hopkins: Restaurant Eugene and Holeman & Finch Public House, Atlanta

Chris Kostow: Meadowood, St. Helena, CA

Paul Liebrandt: Corton, New York City

Barry Maiden: Hungry Mother, Boston

Naomi Pomeroy: Beast, Portland, OR