First State restaurants will celebrate their industry Oct. 7

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of interviewing Carrie Leishman, president and CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association, and Karen Stauffer, its senior director of communication and strategy, on my weekly radio show. We spent the hour talking about the upcoming Delaware Restaurant Association 22nd Annual Cornerstone Awards. And rest assured, we can expect nothing less than perfection from our intrepid food industry trade organization. Powered by over 1,900 businesses, the Delaware hospitality industry employs more than 47,000 people, with an annual economic impact of over $3 billion. In other words, this crew can throw a pretty decent party!

The lights will be bright Monday, Oct. 7, at the Lighthouse Cove Event Center in Dewey Beach, where Delaware food industry notables will be well-primed, especially after the last several years, to toast the irrepressible spirit of their peers. Party fuel for the gala will include cleverly curated food, cocktails (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), beer and wine – all proudly served at over 30 booths where Delaware chefs are intent on impressing their contemporaries. And at the stroke of 6, Ed Shockley and Fun Size band will kick-start the gala into high gear.

The purpose of the annual event is to recognize Delaware food industry professionals who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in their communities. Carrie summed it up perfectly at last year’s gala: “We are extremely excited to celebrate this year’s Cornerstone Awards. It is especially meaningful at a time when our restaurant community has been through so much over the last few years. Congratulations to our award recipients who epitomize the incredible dedication and resiliency that our industry represents.”

The recipient of this year’s coveted Cornerstone Award is the iconic Mrs. Robino’s Restaurant, serving the Wilmington area since 1940. Owners Andrea Minuti Wakefield and Robin Robino Mabery will certainly be in attendance. Last year, downstate took the honor as the Caggiano family and Nicola Pizza were named as cornerstones of our Delaware food industry.

Yet another honor to be bestowed by the Delaware Restaurant Association is Restaurateur of the Year. This year’s 2024 honoree is  Second Block Hospitality, comprising former Blue Moon co-owner and Executive Chef Lion Gardner, Tyler Townsend, Bob Suppies and David Gonce. Members of this group are the creators, owners and operators of The Pines Restaurant, Drift Seafood & Raw Bar, and Bodhi Kitchen – all on the second block (well, Bodhi is very close to it) of “party central,” aka Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth Beach. The 2023 Restaurateurs of the Year were Chef Sean Corea, Tom Little and Tim Bartley of the relatively new Lewes Oyster House.

One of the high points of my tenure here at the beach occurred last year when I was one of the recipients of the Delaware Restaurant Association’s Industry Impact Awards. I was joined by Delaware food writers Pam George (published regularly in Delaware Today and Delaware Beach Life magazines, among many others) and James Beard nominee Patty Talorico, who has written for such high-profile publications as Bon Appetit and Food Network magazines. The tradition continues this year with former Heirloom Restaurant Executive Chef Matt Kern. Since his start many years ago at Salt Air, he has received several James Beard nominations, and he is now the owner and executive chef at One Coastal in Fenwick Island.

Matt is joined by Hank Rosenberg, the hospitality COO at Harrington Raceway & Casino. Over his 24 years in that position, Hank has distinguished himself through his generous participation in the ProStart program, Ronald McDonald House, the Food Bank of Delaware Kitchen School and other community projects.

Wilmington’s kaffé KARMA is sort of a chameleon – a coffee shop in the daytime that morphs into a meditation and yoga studio in the evening. Owner Katie Kutler’s dedication to wellness has made the establishment a local community hub for the greater Wilmington area. This trio of notables exemplifies why these are called the Industry Impact Awards.

The best part of all this is that the event is open to the public! After some of Delaware’s best chefs treat attendees to their best beach eats, it’s not over yet. DRA board chair and Grotto Pizza President Jeff Gosnear has invited ticket holders to attend the traditional afterparty at the brand-new Grotto facility in Dewey Beach. Jeff continues to be instrumental in bringing Grotto Pizza’s look and menu into the modern age, as evidenced by the remarkable design of the new Dewey restaurant. The event is close to being sold out, so join us Monday, Oct. 7, at the Hyatt Place Dewey Beach (and the afterparty, if you dare!). Tickets are available at delawarerestaurant.org under Events.

Amid the cheering and virtually endless food and drink, our Delaware eateries step up to the plate in every sense of the word. The answer to the eternal question, “What’s for dinner?” shines brightly in Delaware, and this annual celebration honors not only award winners, but all of the talented entrepreneurs who are genuinely dedicated to their craft.