Cape May’s Jason Hanin Finalist for NJRHA’s 2025 Chef of the Year

Issue #476

October 05, 2025

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

👨‍🍳Cape May’s Jason Hanin Finalist for NJRHA’s 2025 Chef of the Year

🎵“The Chief” Joins BCMF Lineup: Eric Church Set to Rock Wildwood in 2026

 🐶 Jersey Shore Welcomes Back Dogs for Off-Season Beach Fun

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Daisy Lane Boutique

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 October 5

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Cape May’s Jason Hanin Finalist for NJRHA’s 2025 Chef of the Year

 The New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association (NJRHA) has announced Executive Chef Jason Hanin of Cape May's The Ebbitt Room as a finalist for its highly regarded 2025 Chef of the Year Award. Known for his globally inspired, ingredient-driven cuisine, Chef Hanin leads the kitchen at The Ebbitt Room, the signature dining destination inside The Virginia Hotel. His nomination recognizes not only his culinary talent but also his commitment to sustainability and innovation. His approach is rooted in Cape May’s local bounty—particularly the hyper-seasonal produce, meats, and herbs grown just a few miles away at Beach Plum Farm.  Beyond his cooking, Hanin is recognized as a thoughtful mentor and creative force in New Jersey’s culinary scene. His dishes are known for balancing sophistication with soul, often telling a story of culture, place, and purpose  The 2025 NJRHA Awards Ceremony will be held Wednesday, November 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Ryland Inn. The evening will include an open bar, curated cuisine, and silent auctions, highlighting the best in New Jersey’s hospitality industry. Public voting for the award is now open and runs through Monday, October 14. The winner will be revealed during the live event, which marks the NJRHA’s 40th Annual Awards celebration.

 “The Chief” Joins BCMF Lineup: Eric Church Set to Rock Wildwood in 2026

Eric Church has been announced as a headliner for the 2026 Barefoot Country Music Fest, returning to Wildwood, NJ, from June 18–21. Known for his energetic live performances and hit-packed catalog, Church joins Post Malone as one of four headliners for the event. More artist announcements are expected soon. Since its launch in Wildwood, BCMF has become a staple of the summer concert season, earning national media attention and drawing tens of thousands of fans to the Jersey Shore. After multiple sellouts in its first five years, the festival continues to build momentum as one of the most anticipated music events in the region.

Jersey Shore Welcomes Back Dogs for Off-Season Beach Fun

As summer fades and the crowds head home, the Jersey Shore’s beaches are opening up to a different kind of visitor: dogs. With the seasonal bans lifted in many coastal towns, fall marks the return of four-legged beachgoers eager to run, dig, and splash in the surf. From late September through mid-October, most towns along the Shore begin easing their restrictions on dogs at the beach. These bans, typically in effect from mid-May through the peak summer months, are now on pause until spring — giving dog owners a chance to enjoy the sand and sea with their furry companions. In some towns, dogs are allowed on the beach until as early as mid-March. Cape May Nov. 1-March 31: Dogs are allowed on the beach. April 1-Oct. 30: Dogs are not allowed on the beach. Leash rules: Always required Ocean City Oct. 1-March 14: Dogs are allowed on the beach, but not the boardwalk. May 1-Sept. 30: Dogs are not allowed on the beach or boardwalk. Leash rules: Always required Wildwood Oct. 1-May 30: Dogs are allowed on the beaches, but not the boardwalk. June 1-Sept. 30: Dogs are only allowed at the dog friendly park at Glenwood Avenue. They are not allowed on the boardwalk. Leash rules: Leashes in the park are optional. They are required everywhere else.

Cape May, New Jersey, is renowned for its historical significance and Victorian architecture. In what year was the entire city designated as a National Historic Landmark, making it the only city in the United States to be wholly designated as such?

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Answer to the October 4th Trivia Question

What was the original name given to Cape May by the Dutch explorer Cornelius Jacobsen Mey?

A) Cape Merry
B) Cape Merryweather
C) Cape Mey
D) Cape Meridian

Answer: C) Cape Mey

Cape May was originally named "Cape Mey" after Dutch captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey. The name was later changed due to a misspelling in the paperwork​.​

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