Describe your style:
Chefcore and dadcore—with a sprinkle of timeless urban and coastal active menswear.
How did you select attire for the Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay and Netflix’s Snack vs. Chef?
I picked fun clothes from my closet, but [the] wardrobe [department] has the final say. They liked my choices.
Signature staples:
It’s a tie between hats and shoes. Men’s hats can be seasonal and can set off an outfit. Shoes are the first thing you [notice] when looking at an outfit. I wear work/chef shoes daily, but there are some I love but don’t get to wear often.
Hats off to…
I have always had a strong love of aesthetics, and hats can be cool.
Wardrobe collectibles:
T-shirts. Sometimes they tell a story. Sometimes they represent a time and place in your life. They can range from graphic to plain with color and texture. I even have T-shirts from 20 years ago that are from iconic concerts and artists. I can dress them up and down, depending on the occasion.
The art of accessorizing:
I love art jewelry, especially from my friend and jeweler Heidi Lowe, who has a shop in Lewes. My father is an excellent craftsman and artist, who taught me silversmithing techniques as a child. It gave me an appreciation for handcrafted wearable art.
Cool specs:
I find great sunglasses [at] the Edge in Rehoboth Beach. I take them to my optometrist and put my prescription in them. I know the style will fit my face and be a funky frame that not everybody wears daily.
On brand:
[It’s] all about the classics with well-placed statement accessories. I love Tilit, American-made clothing that can be worn in the kitchen, after work and on my days off. …It has a lovely texture, quality and style that will last years.
Style icon:
Bob Marley. He always looked timelessly cool. He was never trendy but had infinite rizz. I’m sure he cared about his image, because he was a perfectionist, but he was dressed for comfort and would look cool in any timeline.
Thrifty seconds:
I love finding a deal and a one-of-a-kind gem. But with how busy my life is, I can’t afford the time right now to [peruse] the sites.
Surfing the shops:
I am a beach/surf bum with taste and a good eye. My favorite Delaware shops are The Edge and Dewey Surf and Sport.
Fashion don’t:
Up-to-the-minute, cheap, fast fashion that people throw away.
Cringey clothing regret:
Huge JNCO jeans, parachute pants and skater styles.
If money were no object…
I’d get a tailored suit from Commonwealth Proper, a private retailer specializing in custom clothing. Most of their designs are currently out of my price range.
You never leave home without:
My Tide pen and bag of EDC (everyday carry) tools.
Mane must:
A fresh haircut from my favorite barber, Ryan Patrick Ament of Faded Barber Shop in Rehoboth Beach. …It took me a long time, but I look better with a beard, even if it is patchy.
Related: Carol Arnott-Robbins Shows How to Be Fashionable Over 50
