Congratulations to our 2026 recipients of the Chef André Soltner Grant Program! These young chefs will receive fully funded stages at leading restaurants, where they'll refine their craft and learn from some of the world's most accomplished mentors.

This year’s recipients reflect a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and ambitions. From a former sales executive and a classical musician turned chef, to cooks pursuing specialties like molecular gastronomy, live-fire cooking, charcuterie, and Midwestern cuisine, each of these chefs reflects the curiosity, dedication and diversity that is shaping the future of cuisine in America.

Join us in congratulating the nineteen chefs selected for this year’s program:

(Each row, left to right) Jax Baker, Paul Cheng-Hathaway, Adam Cruz, Guy Danforth, Nicolas Estrella, Jessica Himmelberger, Cece Illingworth, Tyler Langley, Eric Lockard, Austin McPhail, Huma Naeem, Pratik Parida, J.P. Patterson, Peter Pham, Alfonso Ranno, Tammu Turaga, Blake Weaver, AJ Whittaker, Daniel Yeo