ANJU, Washington, D.C.
Chef Angel Barreto is the executive chef and partner of Anju, a contemporary Korean restaurant located in Washington, DC's Dupont Circle neighborhood. With a career spanning over a decade, Barreto has developed expertise in both French and Korean cuisine, earning him national recognition.
After graduating in 2012, Barreto honed his skills at Vermilion under Rising Stars alum Anthony Chittum before joining Wolfgang Puck’s The Source. Over six years at the acclaimed Pan-Asian restaurant, he worked his way up to executive sous chef. His growing passion for Korean cuisine led him to be recruited by Drewno and Chef Danny Lee for a new project—Anju.
Barreto immersed himself in Korean culinary traditions, studying its history and traveling to Korea with support from the Korean Embassy. His deep dive into the cuisine helped shape Anju’s menu, designed as an introduction to Korean flavors. His efforts paid off— Anju quickly gained critical acclaim, earning a three-star review from The Washington Post in 2019 and being named the #1 restaurant in Washington, DC, by Washingtonian in 2020.
Barreto's talent has earned him numerous accolades. In 2020, he won the RAMMY Award for Rising Culinary Star of the Year, was named James Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year, and led Anju to be ranked the #1 restaurant in Washingtonian’s “100 Very Best Restaurants” list. His reputation continued to grow, and in 2021, he was named a Food & Wine Best New Chef.
By 2022, Barreto was recognized as a James Beard Emerging Chef nominee, a James Beard Taste Twenty Chef, a Star Chef Game Changer, and a Men’s Health Featured Chef. His continued excellence led to a nomination for James Beard Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in 2022 and a semifinalist spot in 2024. That same year, he was named one of the 14 Best Chefs in DC by Modern Luxury DC and won the prestigious RAMMY Award for Chef of the Year.
Beyond accolades, Barreto is known for pushing the boundaries of Korean cuisine while honoring its rich traditions. His creativity, skill, and deep respect for the craft have solidified his place as one of the most celebrated chefs in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. He also served as a Culinary Ambassador for the United States, further showcasing his impact on the culinary world.
Chef Angel Barreto – Awards & Recognitions
● 2020
○ RAMMY Award – Rising Culinary Star of the Year (Washington, D.C.)
○ Washingtonian – Ranked #1 in “100 Very Best Restaurants” list
○ James Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year
○ Received a three-star review from The Washington Post
○ Anju named #1 Restaurant in DC
● 2021
○ Food & Wine – Best New Chef
● 2022
○ James Beard Emerging Chef nominee
○ James Beard Taste Twenty Chef
○ Men’s Health Featured Chef
○ Star Chef Game Changer
○ James Beard Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic nominee
● 2024
○ James Beard Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic Semifinalist
○ Named one of Modern Luxury DC’s 14 Best Chefs in DC
○ RAMMY Award – Chef of the Year (Washington, D.C.
○ JBF Culinary Ambassador for the United States (Korea Representative )2024