Sunset at Steve & Cookies By the Bay Restaurant and Oyster Bar.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
NEW YORK The James Beard Foundation announced today its 2022 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists. Among them is Steve & Cookies By the Bay restaurant in Margate, which was nominated for Outstanding Hospitality.
The award presented by American Airlines recognizes restaurants in operation for five years or more that demonstrate consistent and excellent hospitality and service to its dining community, while also making efforts to provide a sustainable work culture.
Cookie Till has her own blend of coffee beans at the restaurant.
Restaurant owner Cookie Till said she may set the standards for the restaurant, but it's her employees who keep things fresh and care about individual dining experiences.
She was a bit at a loss for words as news of the restaurant's second nomination was announced in a noontime press release sent to media outlets across the nation.
I'm a little surprised and speechless, she said. We weren't expecting it.
Established in 1990, the James Beard Awards are among the nation's most prestigious honors for the culinary and food media industries. The final round of nominees will be announced on March 16 and winners will be celebrated at an awards ceremony on June 13 to be held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Steve & Cookies is one of 20 outstanding hospitality nominees from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon.
Staff at Steve & Cookies By the Bay.
Till said her employees understand what she expects for her patrons and each of them offers their own personal sense of pride in their work. Being in an older building also offers warmth and a nice vibe for our patrons, she said.
They care and it translates even with the food. It's the whole package, she said about her employees, some of whom start out polishing glassware and progress to become bussers and servers. They know I care about them, and I like to treat them well. They are our base and its super-important for the staff to feel validated. They feel it, and enjoy being there and are genuinely involved in our guests having a good experience.
Till said she provides them with continuing education, but each allows their own personalities to shine through.
In addition to recognizing exceptional talent in the culinary and food service industry, the awards recognize a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.
Till was previously nominated in the Outstanding Restaurateur category in 2020.
A pop-up shop was held at Reeds Farm Feb. 19-20, 2022.
The restaurant specializes in farm-to-table culinary offerings, with some produce coming from Reeds Organic Farm, which she purchased several years ago. The farm operates under Till's non-profit, A Meaningful Purpose, which has also established numerous urban community gardens in Atlantic City and mainland communities.
A philanthropist who concentrates on the benefits of nutrition, Till has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey Southern Branch. She took home the mirror ball trophy for the 2018 Dancing Under the Atlantic City Stars competition, which raised $425,000 for the food bank. Every dollar raised provides those deemed food insecure with up to three meals.
She also established the wildly popular and well attended Margate Community Farmers Market, held at the restaurant weekly during the summer season.
James Beard was an American chef, author, television personality and educator who established the James Beard Cooking School in New York City. According to Wikipedia, he emphasized fresh, wholesome foods and mentored generations of professional chefs and foodies.
Julia Child called him the quintessential American cook.
In his book Beard on Food published in 1994, Child described him as a big man, over six feet tall, with a big belly, and huge hands. An endearing and always lively teacher, he loved people, loved his work, loved gossip, loved to eat, loved a good time.
Except for the size and scope of her physical stature, Till possesses some of the same qualities as her predecessor. She loves good food, people, animals and always strives to have a good time.
MBA President Ed Berger presents the Joseph P. Tozzi Award of Distinction for 2021 to Cookie Till, owner of Steve & Cookie's By The Bay Restaurant & Oyster Bar and Ventnor No 7311.
Till was recently awarded the Margate Business Association's 2021 Joseph P. Tozzi Award of Distinction for her commitment to the business community and philanthropic efforts.
For more information on this year's Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists, see https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2022-james-beard-award-semfinalists.
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