Bryan Sikora at La Fia Bakery + Bistro + Market, Lion Gardner at Blue Moon, Matt McKay at Newark Country Club and Hari Cameron at (MUSE): Best Chef

EDITORS’ PICK, UPSTATE
After kicking around some of the best restaurants in the country during his 20s, Bryan Sikora of La Fia Bakery + Bistro + Market finally decided to make Delaware his culinary home. That made him the only Delawarean nominated for best chef in the annual James Beard Awards this year. We admire his commitment to doing it all by hand, from baking the bread on up. In entrées such as pan-roasted wahoo in saffron-scented broth with braised celery, bits of falafel and fillets of white anchovies, you can taste the care that went into the prep. 421 N. Market St., Wilmington, 543-5574, lafiawilmington.com

EDITORS’ PICK, DOWNSTATE
Lion Gardner worked at several excellent restaurants before joining the crew as executive chef at the iconic Blue Moon in 2006. Two years later, he became an owner. Fortunately for longtime fans, he didn’t change a thing, which means Blue Moon, with influences from Gardner’s travels around the world, remains on the culinary cutting edge. 35 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-6515, bluemoonrehoboth.com

READERS’ PICK, UPSTATE
Matt McKay at Newark Country Club 300 W. Main St., Newark, 731-4251, newarkcc.com

READERS’ PICK, DOWNSTATE
Hari Cameron at (MUSE) 44 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-7107, amuse-rehoboth.com