Local restaurateurs Kee, Tevis recognized as Rising Stars
Local restaurateurs Megan Kee and Dru Tevis were recognized among the state’s Rising Stars at the Delaware Restaurant Association’s 19th Annual Restaurant Industry Cornerstone Awards held Oct. 18 at the Lighthouse Cove Event Center in Dewey Beach.
Each year, the association celebrates the contributions of Delaware’s restaurant industry members serving as cornerstones of their communities, along with the industry’s impact on the local economy and career opportunities for all.
After a hiatus in 2020, industry workers and supporters gathered to enjoy fine food and cocktails, beer and wine from 25 stations, and live music from the 19th Street Band.
DRA President Carrie Leishman thanked this year’s Rising Stars, whose courage, resiliency and passion for the industry also drive their commitment to make a difference in their communities.
Lewes native Kee owns the Megan Collective, a boutique restaurant collection comprising La Fable, Dalmata Italiano and Houston White Co. in Rehoboth Beach, and Bramble and Brine at the Buttery, which is slated to open in Lewes in late 2021. Learn more at megancollective.com.
Since 2018, Tevis of Rehoboth has been the corporate pastry chef for SoDel Concepts. Tevis has studied at many of the world’s finest baking and pastry institutions, and staged in kitchens all over the world. Learn more at sodelconcepts.com.
Other Rising Stars include Olivia Brinton, co-owner of Little Goat Coffee Roasting and Peach Blossom Eatery in Newark; Jason Aviles, co-founder of Green Box Kitchen and project director of Wilmington Green Box; and Christa Carlton, executive chef of Taverna in Newark.
The evening included a special video tribute to DRA Board Chair Scott Kammerer of SoDel Concepts, who was recently named to the board of the National Restaurant Association.
“Delaware is small but mighty,” Kammerer said. “For me to represent such young and talented people in this room has just been amazing for me.”
Following the awards banquet, attendees moved to the after-party at the Lighthouse.
