Southern Ocean Chef Named NJ's Chef Of The Year

WARETOWN, NJ — A local chef has been named the state's chef of the year for 2026.

Allen Walski, from Waretown's Clemmy's, was named the 2026 NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association (NJRHA) Chef of the Year at a ceremony Thursday night.

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"Determined entirely by the public, Allen had an amazing voting turnout of local supporters who firmly believe in his skill, dedication, and most importantly, the food served at Clemmy's," NJRHA said.

Clemmy's opened in 2024 and quickly became one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the area, even being named one of the best restaurants in New Jersey in its first year of being open.

Located in a strip mall (in an area New Jersey Digest refers to as once being "a dining wasteland"), Clemmy's is a New American style BYOB, serving up a rotating menu that uses locally sourced ingredients.

The eatery is owned and operated by Walski and his wife, Carolyn.

"Thank you to everyone who voted and to the Clemmy's family!" Clemmy's shared in an Instagram post announcing the news.