Good thing Dale Reitzer isn’t a horn tooter. By now, with his James Beard nominations and his rise to prominence among regional chefs, he could be flaunting a supersized ego. Instead, the surf-loving family man keeps his head down, his skills sharpened and his passion for food at the fore. Other chefs adore him, which is always a good sign.

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Second Place: Sean Murphy, F.W. Sullivan’s Fan Bar and Grille

Third Place: Walter Bundy, Lemaire