Meet the Chefs

May 19

Some people choose their vacation spot because of the beach, some because of the water sports, some because of the nightlife and some because of the food. Fortunately, if you choose Sea Isle City, you are getting all of the above and so much more! After a long beach day, a nice dinner is in store. There are dozens of restaurants right here on the island and in the surrounding areas. Whether you are in the mood for a burger, a steak, Italian or seafood, there are many options to choose from. We are proud to have some of the best chefs on the coast cooking right here for you. Here’s your chance to meet the ones behind the delicious dishes you order over and over again.

Chris Karimalis / Sandbar and Grill

3915 Landis Ave. , Sea Isle City | 609-263-1000 | theod.com

1. What do you love most about the area? I enjoy fishing in the summer and hunting in the winter.

2. If you could share a meal with someone, who would it be and why? My father, I never had the opportunity to cook for him.

3. Who or what inspires you when you’re in the kitchen? Thinking of my Greek father with his simple recipes made with flavorful ingredients always helps inspire new ideas in the kitchen.

4. What is your go-to kitchen tool? A sharp knife.

5. What ingredient can you not live without? Fresh seafood. There are endless possibilities.

6. What do you like to do when you aren’t in the kitchen? I spend time with my family. I also play in a hockey league and enjoy riding my motorcycle.

7. If you weren’t a chef, what would your profession be? I’m not sure. I’ve been in in the kitchen too long to remember.

William Urbaczewski / O’Donnell’s Pour House

3915 Landis Ave. , Sea Isle City | 609-263-5600 | odonnellspourhouse.com

14-ounce prime cut pork chop with maple bourbon bacon jam

1. What do you love most about the area? The fishing, the salt sir, and the smell of the back bay as you come down the Boulevard.

2. If you could share a meal with someone, who would it be and why? I would share that meal with my mom and dad because they have always been there for me and my family! Family first!

3. Who or what inspires you when you’re in the kitchen? When in the kitchen, the food is the inspiration! Fresh seasoned ingredients, fresh local seafood, and a beautiful cut of meat!

4. What is your go-to kitchen tool? My knife!

5. What ingredient can you not live without? Love! Love is the most important ingredient when you’re cooking.

6. What do you like to do when you aren’t in the kitchen? I enjoy fishing, hunting, and long rides on the Harley with the beautiful girlfriend, Bonny.

7. If you weren’t a chef, what would your profession be? I’ve always wanted to be a fighter pilot. But probably a federal agent or police officer.

Mike Newport / Ludlam Hotel Bar and Grill

4004 Landis Ave., Sea Isle City | 609-486-2179 | ludlambar.com

Beach Town Tacos from the Ludlam Bar & Grill

1. What do you love most about the area? I love when the seasons change. You can feel the excitement and energy in the air. Summer in New Jersey is incredible!

2. If you could share a meal with someone, who would it be and why? Anthony Bourdain. He has inspired me my entire career and unfortunately, I wasn’t able to meet him.

3. Who or what inspires you when you’re in the kitchen? My inspiration comes from the other employees and the guests attending the restaurant. I want them to remember my food. I want them to enjoy themselves while they are at work. They inspire me every day.

4. What is your go-to kitchen tool? Chef’s knife. It must be sharp and it must be clean!

5. What ingredient can you not live without? Kosher salt. Needs to be used in every single dish in the kitchen.

6. What do you like to do when you aren’t in the kitchen? I love weight training. I also love to write and record music.

7. If you weren’t a chef, what would your profession be? I would be a sports analyst.

Grier Essick / Oar House Pub

318 42nd Place, Sea Isle City | 609-263-3000 | oarhousepub.com

1.What do you love most about the area? Being surrounded by water.

2. If you could share a meal with someone, who would it be and why? Gordon Ramsay, because I would love to learn his skills and technique.

3. Who or what inspires you when you’re in the kitchen? Music is an inspiration to me.

4. What is your go-to kitchen tool? A mandolin.

5. What ingredient can you not live without? Sherry.

6. What do you like to do when you aren’t in the kitchen? I spend most of my time fishing.

7. If you weren’t a chef, what would your profession be? I would love to be a charter boat captain.

Dana Iannelli / Shorebreak Cafe

4002 Landis Ave. , Sea Isle City | 609-486-2137 | shorebreakcafe.com

Strawberries and Cream Cruffin and a coffee

1. What do you love most about the area? The community of friendly faces!

2. If you could share a meal with someone, who would it be and why? I would love to share a meal with my grandparents and tell them all about the bakery and have them see I have been keeping their holiday recipes alive!

3. Who or what inspires you when you’re in the kitchen? I feel inspired daily by my employees and customers. I want to show up for them daily and bake with love.

4. What is your go-to kitchen tool? Offset spatula, I grab it for everything!

5. What ingredient can you not live without? European butter! It makes everything better!

6. What do you like to do when you aren’t in the kitchen? Spend time with my family!

7. If you weren’t a chef, what would your profession be? I can’t imagine being anything else!

Joe DiLuzio / Beachwood at the Dunes

8600 Landis Ave. , Sea Isle City | 609-263-3627 | beachwoodsic.com

1. What do you love most about the area? Having the beach and bay so close.

Prime New York strip with a brandy peppercorn sauce

1. What do you love most about the area? Having the beach and bay so close.

2. If you could share a meal with someone, who would it be and why? My kids because I want them to experience the many ways that you can prepare food.

3. Who or what inspires you when you’re in the kitchen? My former chef, Phillipe Chin, who taught me most of my skills.

4. What is your go-to kitchen tool? My knives. The sharper the better.

5. What ingredient can you not live without? Salt, pepper, and garlic. Tri-colored cherry tomatoes are also a must.

6. What do you like to do when you aren’t in the kitchen? Go fishing and just be outdoors.

7. If you weren’t a chef, what would your profession be? I would have been an outdoor adventure guide and cameraman.

Brian Stewart aka “Chef Stu” / Mike’s Seafood & Dock Restaurant

4222 Park Road, Sea Isle City | 609-263-3458 | mikesseafood.com

1. What do you love most about the area? The availability and variety of fresh, sustainable seafood, as well as fresh Jersey produce.

2. If you could share a meal with someone, who would it be and why? Neil Armstrong. And to ask him what he really saw on the moon.

3. Who or what inspires you when you’re in the kitchen? My mom, Terry, and my daughter, Charlie.

4. What is your go-to kitchen tool? A sharp knife.

5. What ingredient can you not live without? Roasted garlic.

6. What do you like to do when you aren’t in the kitchen? Surf and walk on the beach.

7. If you weren’t a chef, what would your profession be? A farmer.

Jeremy McCann / Quincy’s Original Lobster Rolls

4215 Landis Ave. , Sea Isle City | 609-478-2845 | quincysoriginal.com

Lobster Roll with a side of potato chips

1. What do you love most about the area? With my family, the beach. My son can spend hour after hour there, just like I did as a kid. With the restaurant, just meeting people that love our rolls and have been coming to the store for years. I get a real kick out of hearing that from people.

2. If you could share a meal with someone, who would it be and why? There are lots of historical figures I can think of, but at the risk of being a little cliché, I would choose my grandfather. I spent my summers at his shore house in OC and loved every minute.

3. Who or what inspires you when you’re in the kitchen? My wife, she is the best chef I know … well, her mom is pretty good as well.

4. What is your go-to kitchen tool? Sharp knife, dull knives drive me nuts!

5. What ingredient can you not live without? My wife won’t be happy to hear this, but it’s butter.

6. What do you like to do when you aren’t in the kitchen? I wish I could say something exciting like scaling peaks in the Andes, but it’s really just conventional stuff like watching my son play sports, hanging out with family and friends, coming up with new recipes, etc.

7. If you weren’t a chef, what would your profession be? Chef is definitely not how I would refer to myself. Nor would anyone else, for that matter. I have a passion for our restaurants and started the business back in 2013 because I loved lobster rolls and their simplicity. Having eight locations now seems surreal, and I am just grateful that our customers like what we offer.

Kathie and John McCann / Capt’n Chucky’s

4111 Landis Ave., Unit 1, Sea Isle City | 609-905-CRAB | captnchuckysseaisle.com

1. What do you love most about the area? My family came to Sea Isle City my entire life and moved here when I was a kid in 1970. Without question, the best thing about Sea Isle is its people. As a group, they are some of the most kind and friendly people I have ever met and have always been very welcoming.

2. If you could share a meal with someone, who would it be and why? A great dinner companion is Mayor Lenny Desiderio. He is a fixture of Sea Isle City, a great proponent of our town and is a wonderful resource of Sea Isle’s history.

3. Who or what inspires you when you’re in the kitchen? Bobby Flay, the great Irish American chef.

4. What is your go-to kitchen tool? A nice bottle of Guinness; it’s a good ingredient for any meal.

5. What ingredient can you not live without? Aside from Guinness, of course, I could never live without the fabulous crab, shrimp, mashed potatoes and Stock’s pound cake that you can find at Capt’n Chucky’s.

6. What do you like to do when you aren’t in the kitchen? When not at Capt’n Chucky’s, my happy place is on the water, working out in the back bay in my lifeguard boat.

7. If you weren’t a chef, what would your profession be? I am fortunate enough to have 2 professions that I love. Not only am I a proud owner of Capt’n Chucky’s, I am the owner/broker of McCann Realtors. Real estate is my passion, and I have been fortunate enough to work in Sea Isle City for 38 years.

Louis Cerone / Uncle Oogie’s

6118 Landis Ave. , Sea Isle City | 609-263-6086 | uncleoogies.com

1. What do you love most about the area? Hard-working people that just want to come down and enjoy their free time

2. If you could share a meal with someone, who would it be and why? Martin Luther King

3. Who or what inspires you when you’re in the kitchen? My mother, Janice Ruth.

4. What is your go-to kitchen tool? Black Sharpie markers.

5. What ingredient can you not live without? Our own grown on premises basil.

6. What do you like to do when you aren’t in the kitchen? Watching my sons play sports.

7. If you weren’t a chef, what would your profession be? Union carpenter.

Jennifer James Davenport