Food & Wine has announced the Best New Chefs (BNC) of 2012. The chefs were celebrated at a fete on Tuesday with food from former BNC winners: Daniel Boulud of Daniel (‘88); Michael Anthony of Gramercy Tavern (‘02); Shea Gallante of Ciano (‘05); Gavin Kaysen of Café Boulud (‘07); Matthew Lightner of Atera (‘10); George Mendes of Aldea (‘11); as well as Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars winner Richard Blais.

A press release emailed to The Huffington Post explains how the chefs are selected:

Best New Chefs are chosen after a months-long selection process. The magazine works with restaurant critics, food writers and other trusted experts around the country to identify outstanding chefs who have been in charge of a kitchen for five years or fewer. Then the editors travel incognito to taste the food themselves.