Delaware Chefs Are Putting The First State On The Map As A Foodie Destination

The food scene in Wilmington is going to new heights.  This all thanks to some talented local chefs who have made it to the top on some of the countries most popular cooking shows.

Six of Delaware chefs have appeared on competitive cooking shows over the last year.  Though they are taking home prizes, they are also earning the first state recognition as a foodie destination.

Delawareans and vacationers alike can enjoy the tasty talents of these culinary stars across the state:

  • Donavon “Monty” Alderman competed on the 2022 Food Network program “Bake It ‘Til You Make It.” Alderman is owner of Monty’s Neighborhood Snacks, where he sells specialty cakes and cupcakes.  

  • Hari CameronJames Beard-nominated chef who is co-founder of Grandpa Mac in Rehoboth Beach, is featured on the premiere season’s finale of Netflix’s “Snack vs. Chef.”  

  • Reuben Dhanawade was named Episode 8 champion of “Desperately Seeking Sous Chef,” a special edition of the Food Network show “Chopped,” in 2022. Dhanawade has cooked for a variety of Delaware restaurants, and produced a local access cooking show, “Reuben’s Indian Kitchen.” 

  • Jesus “Zeus” Valentino Gordianyexecutive chef at Tuscany-inspired Benvenuto restaurant in Milford, appeared on celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey’s “Hell’s Kitchen” on Fox. 

  • Chef/Owner Robbie Jester of Pizzeria Mariana in Newark recently won the $100,000 grand prize on the Netflix show “Pressure Cooker.” Jester also has competed twice on the Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” (winning on his second appearance) and his shrimp scampi topped the hosts on Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay.” 

  • Pastry chef Dru Tevis won the Food Networks most recent “Holiday Baking Championship,” bringing $25,000 home to Lewes. Tevis is a corporate pastry chef for SoDel Concepts Hospitality Group, the Delaware operators behind Matt’s Fish Camp, Bluecoast, Papa Grande’s, and other beach favorites. 

These chefs are putting Delaware on the map as a food destination, and I congratulate them on their incredible achievements,” said Jessica Welch, Director of the Delaware Tourism Office. “As more of our visitors experience the exceptional dining throughout our state, I’m certain that Delaware’s reputation as a culinary capital will continue to grow.”” 

Break Line

50 States Ranked by Generosity When Tipping at Restaurants

Unlike Europe, the United States of America requires diners to tip their service for taking care of them. It’s how they make their money. Everyone has to do it, although some people will just not… Nowadays, gratuity is sometimes automatically charged for you, but most of the time it is up to your own discretion to tip. This rule applies across all 50 states. So which ones are really the most generous and which are the least? The list ranks top to bottom, from least generous to most generous.

  • California

    Average tip: 17.5%

  • Washington

    Average tip: 18.2%

  • Florida

    Average tip: 18.3%

  • Nevada

    Average tip: 18.4%

  • Hawaii

    Average tip: 18.7%

  • New York

    Average tip: 18.7%

  • Louisiana

    Average tip: 18.8%

  • Texas

    Average tip: 18.9%

  • New Mexico

    Average tip: 18.9%

  • New Jersey

    Average tip: 19.0%

  • Arkansas

    Average tip: 19.0%

  • Mississippi

    Average tip: 19.1%

  • Minnesota

    Average tip: 19.2%

  • Oklahoma

    Average tip: 19.2%

  • Utah

    Average tip: 19.2%

  • Georgia

    Average tip: 19.3%

  • Illinois

    Average tip: 19.3%

  • Connecticut

    Average tip: 19.3%

  • Arizona

    Average tip: 19.3%

  • Alabama

    Average tip: 19.4%

  • Oregon

    Average tip: 19.4%

  • South Dakota

    Average tip: 19.4%

  • Massachusetts

    Average tip: 19.4%

  • Virginia

    Average tip: 19.5%

  • Vermont

    Average tip: 19.5%

  • Tennessee

    Average tip: 19.5%

  • Alaska

    Average tip: 19.6%

  • Idaho

    Average tip: 19.6%

  • North Carolina

    Average tip: 19.6%

  • North Dakota

    Average tip: 19.7%

  • Maryland

    Average tip: 19.7%

  • Nebraska

    Average tip: 19.9%

  • Kansas

    Average tip: 19.9%

  • Colorado

    Average tip: 19.9%

  • Iowa

    Average tip: 20.0%

  • Montana

    Average tip: 20.1%

  • Rhode Island

    Average tip: 20.1%

  • Missouri

    Average tip: 20.1%

  • Michigan

    Average tip: 20.2%

  • Maine

    Average tip: 20.3%

  • Pennsylvania

    Average tip: 20.3%

  • Wisconsin

    Average tip: 20.3%

  • South Carolina

    Average tip: 20.4%

  • New Hampshire

    Average tip: 20.6%

  • Ohio

    Average tip: 20.6%

  • West Virginia

    Average tip: 20.6%

  • Kentucky

    Average tip: 20.7%

  • Wyoming

    Average tip: 20.8%

  • Indiana

    Average tip: 20.8%

  • Delaware

    Average tip: 21.8%