Dining 2008: Newsmakers

Chefs that made waves and earned raves including, yes, a pair of artichoke-happy pizzaiolos

All of the white noise generated in the New York food world can tend to drown out what’s really important—namely, the people making our food. If 2008 lacked the fireworks of 2007 (petty larceny charges and Chodorow rants, anyone?), then that allowed us to shift our focus to the explosive talents at work in New York’s kitchens.

Here are just a few of the chefs and restaurateurs whose food amazed, challenged, satisfied and soothed us—and, of course, reminded us why we’re happy to call New York home. —Rebecca Flint Marx

Pictured: Artichoke Basille Pizza's Francis Garcia and Salvatore Basille