Congratulations to Hamptons chef Joe Realmuto has been awarded the The Press News Group’s Community First Award winner for 2011! According to Doreen Quaranto, the direct of parish outreach at the Most Holy Trinity Church in East Hampton nominated him for the award, “I’ve never seen anybody works so hard with such a big smile.” Joe puts together the Community Soup Dinner at the church every month, cooking soups to feed up to 300 people. Joe says, “I’ve taken a lot from this community and I just want to give a little back.”

KDH loves interviewing Joe and visiting him at his amazing restaurants. Town Line BBQ is a fall favorite for us. Joe humbly hates to be referred to as a “Super Chef” but he really is one. He is so deserving of this award! Check out Joe’s KDHamptons Feast End Diary:

Joseph Realmuto began his career at the Culinary Institute of America. While attending CIA in 1991, he interned and then worked under John Laughran at the River Cafe in Brooklyn. Upon graduation in 1993, he spent his first summer in the Hamptons at Nick & Toni’s. Realmuto returned to Manhattan for the off-season and landed at Park Avalon in Manhattan. At Park Avalon, Realmuto worked all kitchen stations for owner Steve Hansen, under chef Jim Botsokis.

In early 1994, Realmuto returned to his summer job and began what was to be a long relationship at one of Long Island’s most critically acclaimed restaurants, Nick & Toni’s. Joe was initially hired as a line cook and for the next two years he honed his skills as sous chef under executive chef Paul Del Favero before becoming the chef de cuisine in 1996. During his stint as sous chef under Del Favero, Nick & Toni’s received two stars from the New York Times’ Ruth Reichl, was awarded the Golden Dish Award from GQ and received high praise from Food & Wine when they claimed that “Nick & Toni’s is the best Italian restaurant on the East End.” Late in 1996, Realmuto was named Nick & Toni’s executive chef. In 2001, Nick & Toni’s received a three star review or an “excellent” from The New York Times. In 2008, Realmuto was a guest chef at the James Beard House. Realmuto has created and overseen the opening of three additional restaurant concepts with Honest Management Company – Rowdy Hall, an English-style, French bistro pub; La Fondita, an authentic Mexican takeout spot; and Townline BBQ, an authentic Texas style BBQ joint.

Realmuto has appeared alongside several celebrity chefs on the Food Network. He appeared on three episodes of Ina Garten’s show Barefoot Contessa, cooking signature dishes from Nick & Toni’s, La Fondita and Townline BBQ. He also was selected as a judge alongside Bobby Flay on The Next Food Network Star. Giada de Laurentis featured Nick & Toni’s and Realmuto on a 2007 episode of Giada’s Weekend Getaways.

Realmuto has a devotion to local and organic produce in his menus. He helps maintain the 1-acre organic garden behind Nick & Toni’s, where he harvests items in season that go right to the plate. He is also involved with the Hayground School’s “Young Chef’s Program,” a chef-lead workshop for young children. He maintains relationships with many local farmers and produce suppliers supporting East End farms such as EECO farms, Satur Farms and Quail Hill Farms. Most recently, Realmuto spearheaded the creation and establishment of the Springs School Seedling Project. The Seedling Project has built a greenhouse at a local public school, Springs School, where Realmuto’s children attend. The mission of the project is to teach children about growing produce, cooking healthy and eating healthy.

Realmuto is currently the executive chef for all Honest Man Company establishments: Nick & Toni’s, Nick & Toni’s Café, Rowdy Hall, La Fondita, Honest Catering and Townline BBQ.