Hegarty named semifinalist in Zagat ‘30 Under 30’

Rising culinary star Becca Hegarty, chef de cuisine of The Cafe Carnegie at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Oakland, has another feather to stick in her cap.

The 26-year-old chef has been named one of 60 semifinalists in Zagat’s first national “30 Under 30” program honoring young hospitality professionals, who are exceptional.

Instituted six years ago, the awards have traditionally recognized 30 of the most promising young culinary talents from various food cities across the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco (but never Pittsburgh).

This year, Zagat decided to cast an even larger net, and turn it into a national roster of the country’s hottest chefs, restaurant owners and other food professionals. In January, it conducted an open call around the country, asking readers, local editors, previous honorees and industry insiders to nominate those who deserve the honor, to create one national list.

Ms. Hegarty is the only Pittsburgher to make the short list, and one of only four chefs in Pennsylvania (the other three semifinalists are based in Philadelphia).

Before taking the job at CMOA, Ms. Hegarty worked at the now-closed Bread and Salt Bakery in Bloomfield and served as sous chef under Sonja Finn, owner/chef at Dinette in East Liberty. Ms. Finn also is the executive chef of The Cafe Carnegie.

Zagat’s list will be whittled down to 45 finalists in June. The dining guide producer will reveal the winners of the inaugural “30 Under 30 National” sometime in September.