Movers and Shakers: Beach Bistro / Eat Here Chef Peter Arpke Nominated for "Best Chef of the South

Peter Arpke

BRADENTON – The James Beard Foundation has nominated Beach Bistro and Eat Here Chef Peter Arpke for their "Best Chef of the South" award.

Eighteen years ago Sean Murphy, owner of the Beach Bistro, hired a young dishwasher and began training him to make salads. Over the ensuing years Peter developed his talents and capabilities until he took over the head chef position of the chef team at the Bistro and helped Sean develop and train similar chef teams at other restaurants that Sean opened as a part owner or consultant.

Peter Arpke now works with Sean as head chef for the Beach Bistro and Executive Chef for the three Eat Here Restaurants that Sean has opened on Anna Maria, in Sarasota and on Siesta Key. Peter also led the chef teams that created the Beach Bistro's performance dinners at the James Beard House in New York in 2005 and 2010.

The James Beard Foundation promotes the culinary arts in America and particularly develops the recognition of the chef's profession as an important element of our culture and a keystone of our hospitality industry.

The Beach Bistro and Eat Here Restaurants have had an amazing run of awards and acclaim in the past year. The Bistro was once again selected to ZAGAT's "Top Restaurants in America" and received honors for "Best Food" on Florida's Gulf Coast.

The Eat Here restaurants were selected by Florida Trend's Golden Spoon Award program as one of their "Best New Restaurants" in Florida. Each Eat Here restaurant has been selected "Best New Restaurant" by each of the communities where they have opened. 

Sean was deeply moved by the announcement of Peter's selection. "Beard 'Best Chef of the South' has a great ring to it. I can still see him as a kid in my kitchen. Peter is an excellent candidate for this award. He has worked hard at his profession for a very long time. The James Beard House is America's culinary temple. The Beard House performance dinners are a true test of a chef's talents and Peter's performance there was stellar."

Chef Peter was enthralled. "I am humbled by the nomination. It is the highest honor that an American chef can receive. I am also grateful for all of the support that I have received from the Beach Bistro and Eat Here chef teams.”