01/28/2026
Now that the storm has passed, I would like to take the opportunity to express my immense gratitude for being named a James Beard award semi finalists for “Best Chef mid-Atlantic”. I think about my years working as a line cook in various prestigious restaurants in NYC, drinking a shift beer as I clean my station at the end of a tough service. I would think about how challenging my path was, and dream about a time when my determination, skills, and talent would be recognized amongst those of my mentors. These titans of the fine dinning community, that were held in such high esteem, Bill Telepan, Sandro and Micheal Romano, Scott Conant, Stephen Starr and Gabriel Kreuther just to name a few.
As the years pressed on, I focused more on perfecting my own culinary identity and leadership style. I held faith in the notion that, love for your craft, and modesty above all else would be bring success. This was the most important lesson I could have learned from all those tough chefs and restauranteurs in NYC.
I want to thank all of those chefs I worked for, who took time out of their busy day, to mentor me and lay the groundwork for a successful career in culinary arts. I was shown how to handle the best and worst of it all. From making a proper consomme, to planning for a big event, to even coaching an employee through a tough time. These are challenges chefs are faced with daily. Without the mentorship of our predecessors, the future of our culinary communities would be a bleak one.
So with all that said, I would like to thank all my friends, family, mentors, instructors, and teammates that have supported me along the way. In keeping with my firm stance on modesty, let it be known, any awards, notoriety, or accolades headed my way, are undoubtedly thanks to all your efforts. To everyone I’ve worked with in the past, and to the entire Baltimore dinning community, who have embraced Marta since opening in 2022, THANK YOU SO MUCH !
Sincerely,
Chef Matthew Oetting