Best Chef In West Chester Area: Santino's Tap and Table

WEST CHESTER, PA — Santino’s Tap & Table won the Best Chef Culinary Competition, featuring the top restaurants in the West Chester area.

The 10th annual contest sponsored by ACT in Faith of Greater West Chester raised $34,000 for the underserved community.

The contest featured local residents sampling food from four restaurants, and then voting for the best dish. It was held at the West Chester University Alumni & Foundation Center.

The winning dish from Santino’s Tap & Table was Chef James Jones’ saffron butter poached halibut with orzo and arugula salad, fire-roasted corn, pistachios, cherry tomatoes, lemon vinaigrette, romano, fresh cracked pepper and blood orange and persico agrodolce sauce.

The other restaurants in the competition were Mercato, Side Bar & Restaurant, and The Mediterranean.

Champion chef James Jones said this was the third time his dish was the winner.

“I look forward to defending my title next year,” he said.

The interfaith organization seeks to stabilize households in the West Chester area.

"Chef's Best 2023 was wonderful,” Sara Bleemer, ACT board's president, said.
“ We had a room filled with partners who support the mission of ACT in Faith, we enjoyed delicious food from some of the best chefs and bakers in Chester County, and the result of a fun evening was a record-breaking fundraiser. What's not to love?”

Services provided by ACT in Faith include eviction and utility shut-off prevention, and employment help. More information is available here or by calling 484-324-8492.