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Delaware Restaurant Association holds 18th Annual Cornerstone Awards ceremony
The Martuscelli Family and Restaurant Group won the Cornerstone Award. This family operates four restaurants, Chesapeake Inn, La Casa Pasta, Shipwatch Inn and Klondike Kate’s. Arriving in the United States in 1967, Giuseppe Martuscelli began working in Philadelphia as a cook. Over the next several years a common vision began to grow of one day opening his own restaurant. In 1978 he came to Newark and opened La Casa Pasta. The business quickly became a lifestyle of seven-day workweeks; fine-tuning culinary skills and providing customers with what they wanted. The hard work and diligence paid off several years later in 1996, in Chesapeake City, Md., when he opened his second restaurant with his son Gianmarco, the Chesapeake Inn. Shown are (l-r) Gianmarco, Anna, Giuseppe and Gilda Martuscelli.
November 16, 2019
The 18th Annual Cornerstone Awards were held at the Lighthouse Cove Event Center in Dewey Beach Nov. 11. Each November, the Delaware Restaurant Association members gather together to toast their industry’s achievements and celebrate their extended restaurant family with an evening of camaraderie, fellowship and fun. Awards were presented to the Rising Stars and a Cornerstone Award winner. A screening of “Women of Hospitality” was presented at the awards ceremony and is also available on YouTube. Several area restaurants and breweries provided fine food, and music was provided by The 19th Street Band with an afterparty held at the Starboard.
The Martuscelli Family and Restaurant Group won the Cornerstone Award. This family operates four restaurants, Chesapeake Inn, La Casa Pasta, Shipwatch Inn and Klondike Kate’s. Arriving in the United States in 1967, Giuseppe Martuscelli began working in Philadelphia as a cook. Over the next several years a common vision began to grow of one day opening his own restaurant. In 1978 he came to Newark and opened La Casa Pasta. The business quickly became a lifestyle of seven-day workweeks; fine-tuning culinary skills and providing customers with what they wanted. The hard work and diligence paid off several years later in 1996, in Chesapeake City, Md., when he opened his second restaurant with his son Gianmarco, the Chesapeake Inn. Shown are (l-r) Gianmarco, Anna, Giuseppe and Gilda Martuscelli.
The Industry Rising Stars were honored at the awards ceremony. Shown are (l-r) Angie and Raus Robles, My Sister’s Fault in Milford; Antimo DiMateo and Scott Stein, Bardea, Wilmington; Holly Monaco, Big Fish; Matt Kern, Heirloom; and Robby Jester, High 5 Hospitality.
Enjoying the DRA event are (l-r) Eric Sugrue, Big Fish; Steve “Monty” Montgomery, Starboard; Carrie Leishman, DRA president; and Chris Bisaha, Henlopen City Oyster House and The Blue Hen.
Sydney Arzt and Scott Kammerer, SoDel Concept president, share some time in front of the stage enjoying the 19th Street Band.
Happy at the DRA Awards are Todd Drotleff, The Starboard; and Lincoln Rogerson, Coastal Taproom.
Finding a spot to socialize are (l-r) Jim Paoli, Delaware Payroll Services; Bobbie Redefer; Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, R-Rehoboth; and T.J. Redefer, Dewey Beach mayor.
Representing The Starboard are (l-r) Blair Jost, Megan Laird and Carlie Carey.
Stepping out from their Big Oyster Brewery table are Mike Andersson and Samantha Ballentine.
The 19th Street Band kept the room hopping with its bluegrass sound. Shown are Meghan, Patty, Caolaidhe and Greg.
Sipping on some Dewey Beer Company product are (l-r) Mo Colucci, Rachael Richardson and Andy Wehrle.
Taking in the sights are Corey Harrison and Blake Nichols from Ecolab.
Bethany Blues is well represented by both Lewes and Bethany restaurants. Shown are Brian O’Connell, Lauren Fowler, Clay Johnson, Zac Warner, Dave Greve and Antonio Cruz. In front is Israel Cotoc.
