Foodievents

Chip Roman Is Unfazed by James Beard Brush-Offs

Blackfish's Chip Roman
Blackfish’s Chip Roman Photo: Courtesy Blackfish

Chip Roman, chef and owner of Conshohocken’s Blackfish, might be something of the Susan Lucci of the culinary world. He’s been nominated four times for a prestigious James Beard award — three for Rising Star Chef and one for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic — but has yet to win one. In spite of this, he doesn’t feel slightest bit snubbed. In fact, on Monday he will present his first dinner at the James Beard House. “The awards are cool and all,” Roman told Grub Street. “But I’m not going to say that’s why I get up and go to work everyday. I do it so I can make money and feed my family.”

“As long as customers are still coming in the door, I’m happy,” Roman said. “If I get an award on top of that, that’s awesome. Sure it’s a great honor, but right now I know a lot of guys who have James Beard accolades who aren’t doing any business.” Being his first time at the James Beard House, Roman says he’s playing it safe with his menu, focusing on some of Blackfish’s more popular dishes from the past few years. “We’ll do our smoked salmon with a deep-fired egg, lobster with pear and endive, a Lancaster County chicken and our beignets.” Click here to see the entire menu.

Chip Roman Is Unfazed by James Beard Brush-Offs