A Fenwick Island chef became the first Delaware James Beard Award finalist.
Matt Kern, chef/co-owner at One Coastal, made it past the quarter-finals. Another Delmarva Chef making his way into the regional finals was Harley Peet, Bas Rouge, Easton, MD.
It was Kern’s third nomination in four years, Delaware Today reported. Kern has worked as a chef in Sussex County and Pennsylvania restaurants.
According to the awards website, Kern, who owns the restaurant with his wife Karen, focuses on “really good food rooted in a commitment to support responsible Delaware agriculture and watermen.”
Winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Restaurant and Chef Awards will be live streamed on Eater on June 10.
The other Mid-Atlantic finalists are:
- Tony Conte, Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana, Darnestown, MD
- Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia
- Kevin Tien, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
