Patch Picks: Top Chefs

1. Chef Joe Brown: Melange Cafe, Haddonfield

Chef and author Joe Brown had been serving up a perfect blend of Cajun-Creole and Itlaian cuisine at his restaurant Melange Cafe since 1995, receiving rave reviews from critics and locals alike. Chef Brown is formally trained at the Restaurant School of Philadelphia and attributes his love of cooking to his Tennessee-born mother. He's won countless awards and appeared on television and radio numerous times and enjoys making people happy. "I have always been the type of person who feels as long as you're happy, then I am happy too. I think I became a chef because I saw the look on people's faces after they enjoyed a great meal. That look said happy and satisfied. I then realized food changes your every emotion. When I found out that I had the ability to do that with food, that I could affect my friends and family in such a positive way, it was then that I fell in love with cooking" he says. For more information, visit melangerestaurants.com.

2. Chef Jeffrey Huminski: , Haddon Township

Newer to the Taproom but no stranger to the culinary scene, Chef Jeffrey Huminski enjoys the fast-paced environment of his busy kitchen. In 1999 he graduated from the prestigious Restaurant School in Philadelphia and has been cooking locally ever since. The "better than bar food" menu at the Taproom is a refreshing change from his ten-year run at Lambertis, although he still enjoys cooking Italian along with the pub fare he's serving up now. By cultivating relationships with local farmers, Chef Huminski utilizes the freshest of Jersey produce in his dishes. And soon, the Taproom will be growing their very own garden in the back so he'll have his choice of he'll have just-picked fruits, vegetables and herbs to work with in designing his signature soups and upcoming new dishes. He's also excited about offering new banquet and party services and menus to guests. Participating in numerous fundraisers at the restaurant keeps his ties to the community strong, while the active and ever-moving environment of the restaurant business keeps him inspired. For more information, visit taproomgrill.com.

3. Chef Kathy Gold: , Haddonfield

Chef Kathy Gold is one busy lady. She's a food advocate, food stylist, author, mother and business owner. Whether she's sharing advice with Michelle Obama on how to end childhood obesity, running cooking classes at In The Kitchen Cooking School, or giving demonstrations at the Farmer's Market, Chef Gold enjoys making a difference. Originally an investment banker, she had always loved cooking and decided to change her career focus when her daughter was born. After training at Le Cordon Bleu in Ottawa, Canada, she settled in Haddonfield and opened In The Kitchen cooking school in 2005. Now, she offers a wide variety of cooking classes to suit every interest, budget and age group. For more information, visit inthekitchencookingschool.com.

4. Chef Alex Capasso: Blackbird and West Side Gravy, Collingswood

This tatooed master of fusion cuisine is convivial, unconventional, always spot-on when it comes to food. Blending the finest French and Italian cooking techniques at Blackbird and frying up all-American juicy burgers at sister restaurant West Side Gravy makes for a hectic but happy career for this "local boy made good". A longtime Collingswood resident, Chef Capasso started out washing dishes at the age 15 at a cafe and quickly fell in love with restaurant culture. A celebrated chef since his early days at Misto in Cherry Hill and Max's in Cinnaminson, Capasso brings a unique flair to his creative "Franco-Italian" cuisine. He is the co-founder of the South Jersey Independent Restaurant Association and occasional television personality as well as an active community volunteer. In addition to his numerous awards, Philadelphia Inquirer food critic Craig Laban awarded him the much-sought-after honor of "three bells" (excellent). For more information on this excellent chef, visit blackbirdnj.com.

5. Chef Richard Marsh: Andriotti's Viennese Cafe, Cherry Hill

Another local favorite and native of Cherry Hill, Chef Marsh received his formal training at Johnson and Wales University in Providence RI. No stranger to making his way up the culinary ladder, as a teenager he worked the pastry counter at the same restaurant where he is currently the co-owner, Andriotti's Viennese Cafe. After becoming the youngest Executive Chef for the Omni Hotel Chain and subsequent youngest Director of Food and Beverage as well as working at several five-star restaurants in Rhode Island and Colorado, he returned to South Jersey. Now, he delights customers with his signature five- to 10-course tasting menu and wine pairings as well as his famous cheese spread and Viennese pastries. For more information or to experience his "perfectionist" attention to detail, visit andreottis.com.