Collingswood Chef Named Semifinalist for James Beard Foundation Award

Collingswood, NJ -- One of the best chefs in America is in Collingswood.

Zeppoli chef and owner Joey Baldino is one of the James Beard Foundation’s semi-finalists for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic Region, according to eater.com.

He was also named a semifinalist in 2012.

The award is for “chefs who have set new or consistent standards of excellence in their respective regions.”

Candidates can be from any kind of dining establishment, but they must have worked as a chef for at least five years, with the three most recent coming in the region in which they are nominated.

Zeppoli, located at 618 Collings Avenue, describes itself on its website as a “small romantic and very intimate 35 seat BYOB restaurant.” It seats 35 people, and its classic yet simple Italian cuisine has a strong Sicilian focus. The restaurant opened in 2011.

Baldino grew up in South Philadelphia, and began as a bus boy at a small local restaurant, according to Zeppoli’s website. He graduated from Temple University and The French Culinary Institute.

The James Beard Foundation will release this year’s list of finalists on March 15, and will announce the winner in this category on May 2.

The attached image of Joey Baldino is a Patch file photo