Aberdeen Twp. Chef Named 2026 James Beard Semifinalist

ASBURY PARK, NJ — On Wednesday, the James Beard Foundation announced its 2026 James Beard semifinalists, and only two chefs in New Jersey made the list:

Russ Cowan of Radin's Delicatessen in Cherry Hill and David Viana, executive chef/co-owner of Judy & Harry's in Asbury Park.

Judy & Harry's is the new restaurant that only opened in the past year at the former Heirloom at The St. Laurent, a boutique hotel on 7th Avenue in a residential section of Asbury Park. That space is co-owned by Viana and his wife, Neilly Robinson; in 2025 they did a total menu re-vamp and re-branding, reopening midway through last year to serve Italian fare.

But this is hardly Viana's first critical acclaim: He and his wife also own Heirloom Kitchen on Rt. 516 in Old Bridge, named one of USA Today's best restaurants in 2024. The awards really started rolling in when they opened Lita, the Portuguese/Spanish restaurant on Rt. 34 in Aberdeen, where Viana is executive chef. Lita was named a 2024 James Beard semifinalist, and was also named to Esquire's list of the "Best New Restaurants in America, 2023." It was the only restaurant in New Jersey to make that list that year.

The couple also operates La Otra, the cocktail bar next to Lita (in what used to be Eli's Bagels), and they opened Abramzon & David’s gourmet sandwich shop in Old Bridge last May.

The couple operates their businesses under their company Good Trouble Hospitality.

Previously on Patch: Heirloom Kitchen Expands Offerings In Old Bridge With New Sandwich Shop Abramzon & David's (May 2025)

Heirloom At The St. Laurent In Asbury Park To Become Judy & Harry's (January 2025)