BREAKING NEWS: Jerseyans Named to First “Best Chefs America” List

Here’s how the Best Chefs America press materials explains the process:

"Chefs were first nominated by fellow chefs, culinary professionals and food enthusiasts across the country. Then, from March 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012 analysts conducted over 5,000 confidential telephone interviews. The interviews consisted of a series of proprietary questions, and software was used to aggregate the data. Chefs earning the highest scores among their peers in their region were included in the guide."

In the next few days, we’ll have more information for you on the process and on the team behind the project and the book. We will also post the full list of 196 New Jersey honorees.

Meanwhile, here (in no particular order) are some other names restaurant-goers will recognize…

Humberto Campos Jr – Lorena’s, Maplewood

Cosimo Cassano – Girasole, Atlantic City

Kevin Kelly – Steve & Cookies, Margate

Alex Capasso – Blackbird, Collingswood

Luke Palladino – Luke Palladino, Northfield

Matt McPherson – Matt’s Red Rooster, Flemington

Andrew Araneo – Drew’s Bayshore Bistro, Keyport

Darryl Feeney – Red, Red Bank

Steve Christianson – St. Eve’s, Ho-Ho-Kus

Ronny Cohen – White Manna Hamburgers, Hackensack

Thomas Ciszak – Chakra, Paramus

Chris Siversen – Maritime Parc, Jersey City

James Laird – Serenade, Chatham

Alex Gorant, Axia Taverna, Tenafly

Bruce Lefebvre – Frog and the Peach, New Brunswick

Mitchell Altholz – The Manor/Highlawn Pavilion, West Orange

Michael Weisshaupt – Restaurant Latour, Hamburg

Juan Andres – Costanera, Montclair

Christopher Albrecht – Eno Terra, Princeton

Andrew DiCataldo – Patria, Rahway

Bill Hendra – Huntley Taverne, Summit

Peter Turso – Ursino, Union

Anthony Micari – The Ebbitt Room, Cape May