The James Beard Foundation announced on Wednesday that Antimo DiMeo, a chef and co-owner of Bardea Food & Drink in Wilmington, is one of the 20 semifinalists for the title of Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic area.
After receiving a nomination in the same category in 2022, this is DiMeo’s second nomination for Best Chef. The Beard Foundation named Bardea one of the top new restaurants in the nation in 2019.
Whoa. In response to the nomination, DiMeo released a statement that read, “Just wow.” “I’m really proud of our team, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime distinction. This is for everyone.
It’s easy to get absorbed in the several new initiatives we’re working on. This proves that perseverance really does pay off.
“This simply means the world to us,” said Scott Stein, a co-owner of the restaurant. Antimo and the entire kitchen crew have our utmost admiration. There have been actual tears of happiness and enthusiasm today.
DiMeo must defeat 19 other chefs from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., in order to win the title. Another local chef on the list is Anthony Andiario of Andiario in West Chester, who was previously nominated before.
This year’s semifinalists did not include Matthew Kern, a chef and restaurant owner from Fenwick Island who in 2024 became the first Delaware chef to be named a finalist for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Five finals will be selected from the list of semifinalists. On Tuesday, April 2, the list will be made public. On Monday, June 16, the James Beard Awards ceremony in Chicago will reveal the winner.
According to its goal, the Beard Awards honor outstanding performance and skill in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and larger food system, together with a proven dedication to sustainability, equity, and community.
Bardea stays occupied
DiMeo and Stein, another Bardea co-owner, are juggling three significant new projects in Wilmington at the moment of the nomination.
Roost Pub & Kitchen will soon open in the former Stitch House Brewing (829 N. Market St.), which is owned by the Bardea crew, who also own Bardea Food & Drink, Bardea Steak, and The Garden on Market Street.
“Elevated comfort foods” like flatbreads, chicken tenders, sandwiches, burgers, salads, nachos, and wings are what diners can anticipate from the menu, according to Stein.
Stein anticipates it opening in the middle of March.
In addition, they have taken over the DE.CO Food Hall (111 W. 10th St.), where they currently own and run Taqueria el Chingon and Pizzeria Bardea.
All of the other stalls, with the exception of the independently operated Al Chu’s Sushi, are transitioning to new restaurants, some of which will be handled by Bardea. New locations will feature a cafe called Bean by Bardea and a classy casual dining establishment called Suman Mediterranean, according to job postings.
“Elevated comfort foods” like flatbreads, chicken tenders, sandwiches, burgers, salads, nachos, and wings are what diners can anticipate from the menu, according to Stein.
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Stein anticipates it opening in the middle of March.
In addition, they have taken over the DE.CO Food Hall (111 W. 10th St.), where they currently own and run Taqueria el Chingon and Pizzeria Bardea.
All of the other stalls, with the exception of the independently operated Al Chu’s Sushi, are transitioning to new restaurants, some of which will be handled by Bardea. New locations will feature a cafe called Bean by Bardea and a classy casual dining establishment called Suman Mediterranean, according to job postings.
It is anticipated to open the first week of February, according to Stein.
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