As a lifelong restaurant brat Robbie began his career hanging out in the kitchen of his parent’s Newark, DE sports bar. From there he began washing dishes and cooking in his family seafood restaurant which solidified his passion for kitchens and interest in delicious food.
A Culinary Institute of America graduate, Chef Robbie Jester is most well known for his appearances on Netflix Pressure Cooker, Guy’s Grocery Games, and Beat Bobby Flay. He has been at the helm of many local restaurants and legendary establishments such as DuPont Country Club, Hotel DuPont, Piccolina Toscana, Stone BAlloon Ale House, Limestone BBQ and Bourbon, Eggspectation, and now as owner of Pizzeria Mariana and In Jest Private Chef and Events.
Chef Robbie has received many local awards including Best Chef Upstate Delaware 3 consecutive years, Best BBQ Restaurant, Best New Restaurant, and Rising Star Chef of the Delaware Restaurant Association. Jester has also been featured in Delaware Today Magazine, Brandywine Signature Magazine, Out and About, and the News Journal as well as being voted one of the “Best Chefs of America” for the state of Delaware from 2012 thru 2014. Chef Jester has also catered events for Vice President Biden and the King and Queen of Sweden.
When not working in the kitchen, Robbie is a huge believer in community contribution. He works tirelessly with the Delaware Restaurant Association ProStart Program, Project New Start, and other community organizations with a focus on feeding people and educating the chefs of tomorrow. He sits on the board of the Friends of Fusion Foundation serving children and first responders in the state of Delaware.
