Jordan Petriello was only 18 when he began washing dishes at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. After five years of working in the kitchen, he was promoted to sous chef. Petriello returned to his hometown of South Plainfield late last year from New York City. For two years he had worked at Benno (now closed) and Rezdôra. In January, Petriello joined the team at il Nido in Marlboro as a line cook; in April, he was promoted to sous chef.

In June, Jordan landed his first executive chef position at il Nido, where he set out to fill the considerable shoes of chef Joseph Voller, who moved on after making il Nido a top-rated restaurant.“As you work through the ranks throughout the years, everything kind of prepares you for that moment,” Petriello says.