The New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association (NJRHA) will name the state’s Chef of the Year next month. The honor, for which public voting ended in October, will be announced at the nonprofit’s 40th annual awards ceremony—the first to be held in five years, following a pandemic-induced hiatus.
Finalists for the Chef of the Year award include:
The ceremony will take place Wednesday, November 5, at the Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station, celebrating excellence across New Jersey’s hospitality industry. Tickets are available online, starting at $125. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
“Our honorees set the standard for excellence in hospitality,” says NJRHA president and CEO Daniel Klim. “Their leadership and vision not only ensure that New Jersey’s restaurants and hotels continue to thrive and play a vital role in our state’s economy and culture, but also reflect a deep commitment to giving back to the communities and industry they passionately serve.”
Confirmed 2025 award recipients are:
- Restaurateur of the Year: The Kunisch family, Allendale Bar & Grill and Mahwah Bar & Grill
- Hotelier of the Year: Eustace Mita, ICONA Resorts
- Deborah Dowdell Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike Perro, PJW Restaurant Group
- Hospitality: Marilou Halvorsen, American Hotel & Lodging Association
- Friend of the Industry: Dale Florio, Princeton Public Affairs
- Community Impact: Chef, author and mentor Jesse Jones
Prior to the ceremony, the NJRHA is also launching its first-ever New Jersey Restaurant Week, taking place Friday, October 17-Thursday, October 23. Restaurants across the state are encouraged to participate by offering exclusive specials, such as prix-fixe menus, flat-rate discounts and featured menu items. Dozens of restaurants have confirmed participation, including the Black Horse Tavern & Pub in Mendham, the Frog and the Peach in New Brunswick, and Central Taco & Tequila in Haddon Township.
