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Food & Drink
Rising Star Brendan Pelley of Pelekasis
2016 Winner: Brendan Pelley of Pelekasis
Photo Credit: Holly Rike
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This star chef-in-the-making is coming into fame the old-fashioned way: through his craft. Pelley’s contestant slot on season 14 of Hell’s Kitchen earned him eyeballs, but his contemporary Greek pop-up Pelekasis, now wrapping its temporary residency in the kitchen of Wink & Nod, really rocketed his career. (He’s planning a permanent location for 2017.) With respect for tradition and modern flair (foie gras dolmades, anyone?), Pelley won accolades and, even better than attention, our respect.