On Monday, November 16, Eater will present the 2015 Eater Awards, our sixth annual celebration of all that's made the restaurant world run — and run wild — in the past 12 months. Winners will be selected on both the local and national levels in five major categories, and the voting begins right now. The poll's now closed for restaurant of the year. Next up? Chef of the Year. Cast your vote for the chef that really made a difference this year below.
Here's a quick primer on the nominees: Sarah Welch started her G.A.R. career as Republic's sous chef under Kate Williams. However, when chef Williams' stepped down to pursue other projects, Welch took up the reigns at the meaty concept and helped develop the building's second restaurant, Parks & Rec. A relative newcomer to the Detroit scene, Doug Hewitt has been knocking it out of the park at Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails in Midtown with preparations that enhance the restaurant's immaculately fresh ingredients. Josh Stockton's Italian and Southern-influenced Gold Cash Gold proved a refreshing addition to this year's lineup, especially the ever-popular pickle-brined fried chicken. While Torino shuttered this year, Garrett Lipar has moved on and upped his game at Marais in Grosse Pointe. The revamped eatery makes full use of a large kitchen and storage area so that everything — from butter to preserved tomatoes — is hyper-regional and scratch-made. Finally, Andy Hollyday's Cass Corridor restaurant continues to garner raves from local and national media for its balance atmosphere, outstanding service, and food. Ask a chef in the city where they like to eat and chances are Selden is on their shortlist. With that, Detroit, cast your vote for chef of the year.
Here's how the voting works: Eater editors have named nominees in Detroit (which includes the Metro Area) for each of five major categories. Eater readers will vote, narrowing the nominees to three finalists. From those three finalists, the Eater editorial team will select a winner. Ready to play your part? This poll will be open for 24 hours; voting irregularities will be strictly policed.
Update: This poll has now closed. Next vote for Detroit's Bartender of the Year.
