For more than four decades, Chef Craig Shelton’s work has been recognized nationally and internationally for excellence in cuisine, wine, hospitality, and leadership. His career spans the formative years of modern American fine dining through its maturation into a globally respected culinary culture.
What follows is a selected record of major press recognition and honors.
Major Press Recognition
The New York Times
Four-Star Reviews (Extraordinary)
- The Ryland Inn — June 11, 1995
- The Ryland Inn — November 5, 2000
(Michelin three-star equivalent, prior to 2006)
GQ Magazine
- #1 Top Table in the United States — 2004
(Alan Richman)
Gourmet Magazine
- Cover feature — October 1997
- Named among “The Ten Idyllic World-Class Country Dining Establishments” — May 1995
Philadelphia Magazine
- #1 Country Restaurant in America — 1999
Wine Spectator
- Named one of “America’s Eight Best Young Chefs” — December 1993
AOL Travel
- One of the Top Ten Boutique Hotels in the World — 2010
(The Inn at Dos Brisas)
Culinary & Hospitality Honors
James Beard Foundation
- Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic — 2000
Relais & Châteaux
- Grand Chef designation — awarded consecutively, 1998–2006
Forbes Travel Guide
- Five-Star Restaurant Rating
(The Inn at Dos Brisas, one of only 22 in the U.S. at the time)
Nation’s Restaurant News
- Inducted into the Fine Dining Hall of Fame — 2000
Santé Awards
- Chef of the Year, USA — 2002
AAA
- Four Diamond Award — 1996
DiRoNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America)
- Award Recipient — 1996
Wine & Beverage Recognition
Wines of the World Festival
Laguna Niguel, California — 1993
- #1 French Wine List in America
(The Ryland Inn)
Regional & Reader Honors
Zagat Guide
- The Ryland Inn rated 28 / 28 / 27
- #1 Most Popular Restaurant in New Jersey — multiple consecutive years
New Jersey Monthly
- #1 Restaurant (Critics’ Choice, Readers’ Choice, People’s Choice)
- #1 Best Wine List
- #1 Best Service
- #1 Most Romantic Dining
(awarded repeatedly, 1992–2006)
Public & Civic Recognition
Governor of New Jersey
- Director’s Award — 1997
(“For doing the most to improve the image of New Jersey”)
New Jersey Restaurant Association
- Lifetime Achievement Award — 2019
- Humanitarian of the Year — 2019
Boy Scouts of America
- National Outstanding Eagle Award — 2024
Television & Media
- Great Chefs of the East — PBS / PSG Television, 1992
(One of twenty chefs selected nationally)
Note
This page presents a curated overview.
A complete professional record, including teaching appointments, consulting work, and publications, is maintained separately.