Cherry Hill Restaurant Owner Named James Beard Semifinalist

CHERRY HILL, NJ — The owner of a Cherry Hill deli was named a semifinalist Wednesday for one of the restaurant industry's highest honors.

Russ Cowan, who owns Radin's Delicatessen, was named a semifinalist in the 2026 James Beard Awards, qualifying for "Best Chef" in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Cowan has owned delis throughout the country, including Philadelphia's Famous 4th Street Delicatessen, which he operated for nearly two decades.

After selling 4th Street Deli in 2024, Cowan founded Radin's Delicatessen in Cherry Hill. The Jewish deli is known for its "overstuffed" sandwiches, with the hot corned beef and hot pastrami taking center stage.

A vanguard of culinary honors in the United States since 1990, the James Beard Awards have been a definitive source for culinary excellence for 35 years. Sometimes known as the “Oscars of food,” the awards recognize eateries and chefs who create exceptional food, food media content, and better food systems, the James Beard Foundation said.

Cowan is one of 20 semifinalists in the "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic" category, which includes chefs from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Nominees will be announced on March 31, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Radin's Delicatessen is located at 486 E. Evesham Rd.