Vote for Austin’s Chef of the Year

On Wednesday, November 16 at 8 p.m., Eater will present the 2016 Eater Awards, our seventh annual celebration of all that's made the Austin 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 rundown of this year’s nominees: Thai Changthong got to stretch his Southeast Asian skills with Thai Kun’s brick and mortar up in the Domain; Bryce Gilmore did the same with Barley Swine’s new location, where he applied his thoughtful Texas approach beyond the tasting menu; Kevin Fink showcased the true essence of every ingredient and grain at Emmer & Rye; Yoshi Okai performed magical sushi theater at Otoko; and Fiore Tedesco created elevated homey Italian with L’Oca d’Oro.

This is how voting works: Eater editors have named nominees in Austin for each of five major categories. This year, we’ve changed things up. Editors will pick winners from the nominees, and readers will vote to award one nominee in each category with a readers’ choice award. Ready to play your part? This poll will be open for 24 hours; voting irregularities will be strictly policed.