Cherry Hill’s beloved Radin’s Delicatessen is celebrating a momentous honor this year: owner Russ Cowan has been named a semifinalist for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in the prestigious 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards.
Often called “the Oscars of the food world,” the James Beard Foundation Awards are among the highest accolades in American culinary arts, spotlighting chefs and restaurants that achieve excellence across innovation, quality, and community impact.
Radin’s—known for its overstuffed Jewish sandwiches and other delectable deli fare—is a standout in South Jersey’s vibrant food scene. Under Cowan’s leadership, Radin’s has taken the traditional Jewish deli up a few notches, earning loyal fans and critical praise alike. Now, Cowan’s inclusion on the James Beard semifinalist list places him among a select group of culinary talents from the Mid-Atlantic region, spanning Washington, D.C., Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
What the Nomination Means
Being named a semifinalist is more than an award, it’s recognition from peers and industry leaders that a chef or restaurant’s work exemplifies the highest standards of creativity, consistency, and culinary passion. For Radin’s and Cowan, this honor acknowledges years of dedication to the craft and elevated the often underappreciated art of deli cuisine to an exceptional new level. Cowan formerly owned the Famous 4th Street Deli in Philadelphia before coming back to South Jersey. Learn more about his history here.
The Mid-Atlantic category features an impressive roster of chefs from a diversity of restaurants and cuisines. Cowan stands alongside peers from renowned establishments across the region, highlighting the breadth of talent that defines today’s Mid-Atlantic culinary landscape.
James Beard Award nominees will be narrowed down to finalists later in the spring, with the winners announced at a gala ceremony in Chicago on June 15, 2026.
For Cowan and Radin’s, even as a semifinalist, the acknowledgment is a milestone that reflects South Jersey’s food scene in national culinary relevance. Whether they go on to become finalists or winners, this recognition places Radin’s firmly in the conversation among the nation’s most respected kitchens.
What a coincidence that SJFS visited recently, too!
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