Since Craig Shelton took over as head chef and managing partner in 1991, The Ryland Inn has consistently received awards and excellent reviews from a variety of respected critics, associations and publications. Highlights include an "Extraordinary" rating from the New York Times, membership in the prestigious Relais & Chateaux, and top honors from Zagat's, Gourmet, The James Beard Foundation, New Jersey Monthly, Wine Spectator and more.

Following is a listing of some of the awards and honors received by
The Ryland Inn:

New Jersey Monthly, First Hall of Fame: Craig Shelton Hall of Fame 2006

New Jersey Monthly,  Reader's Choice Poll 2006
The Ryland Inn is the #1 Critics Choice “BEST OF THE BEST for all New Jersey”, “BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT for all New Jersey”, “BEST FORMAL RESTAURANT for all New Jersey”

New Jersey Monthly, 2006 BEST OF THE BEST ISSUE  Craig Shelton  “BEST CHEF IN ALL NEW JERSEY”

GQ Magazine, ”#1 TOP TABLE IN USA for 2004”, December 2003
 “Eat America”, International restaurant critic Alan Richman names Ryland Inn as #1 Top Table in USA for 2004!

The Sunday Star-Ledger, RYLAND BISTRO GETS FOUR STARS TOO!  September 7, 2003  The Ryland’s newly opened BISTRO and PIANO BAR gets highest marks too.

The Santé Awards, CHEF OF THE YEAR-USA, 2002
 Craig Shelton wins “Chef of the Year-USA” 

The James Beard Foundation Awards, “Best Chef Mid-Atlantic” 2000
http://starchefs.com/JBeard/2000/amex.html

Nation’s Restaurant News, Fine Dining Hall of Fame, May 2000
Craig Shelton inducted into the Fine Dining Hall of Fame by Nation’s Restaurant News.

America’s Elite 1000, “The Ultimate List”, Member 2000
Ryland Inn selected for inclusion. Publication is distributed to only people with an average net worth of $10,000,000.

The New York Times, Review: "Extraordinary ****", November 5, 2000
By David Corcoran, “Reaching For Perfection”. Only 12 other restaurants in the United States have achieved this distinction.

Relais & Châteaux, Relais Gourmand, 20056. 2005. 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998
Craig Shelton inducted by Relais and Châteaux as a “Relais Gourmand” Chef--one of only ten Chefs in America.

Zagat Guide, Reader’s Choice Poll, 2006. 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995
#1 Restaurant in New Jersey: 28, 28, 27
"Words cannot describe dining" at this "crème de la crème" of New Jersey restaurants, where "every detail is thought out", located in a "charming inn" on "beautiful grounds" in Hunterdon County, "exquisite" New French Fare "that's perfect for special occasions, even if you have to make one up... it's worth the trip."

AAA Four Diamond Award, Recipient, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002,2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996

Mobil Four Star Award, Recipient, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996

DiRoNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) Award Recipient, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996

Gourmet, Reader’s Choice Poll*, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996
"Our Reader's Top Table" #1 Restaurant in New Jersey
"Tops for Special Occasions"
"Top Food"
*Gourmet discontinued its Reader’s Poll for New Jersey Restaurants in 2000

New Jersey Monthly, Reader's Choice Poll. 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993
#1 "Best of the Best" “four times the votes of the nearest runner-up”
"Best Atmosphere"
"Best Romantic Dining"
"Best Wine List"
"Best Service"

The James Beard Foundation Awards, 1999, 1998, 1997
Craig Shelton nominated “Best Chef Mid-Atlantic”

Wine Spectator, Annual Wine List Awards, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994
The Ryland Inn wine list, composed by Chef Shelton, wins “Best of Award of Excellence”.

Philadelphia Magazine, Mid-Atlantic Travel Awards, 1999
#1 “Best Country Kitchen”

New Jersey Restaurant Association Awards, 1998
“Humanitarian of the Year Award”

Garden Design, February/March 1998
"The New Chef-Gardener"
"Alice Waters has called The Ryland Inn's vegetable and herb plot 'the best kitchen garden in America'."

New Jersey Monthly, January 1998
Dining Critics Valerie Sinclair and Anthony Giglio pick their favorite restaurants. "The Ryland Inn is New Jersey's answer to one of the best restaurants in the world."

The Courier-News, "Eating Out", December 24, 1997
"Ryland Inn does everything right-4 Stars, Excellent”

Gourmet, October 1997
Chef Craig Shelton featured on the cover of "Gourmet" magazine.

1997 Governor Whitman Director’s Award:
Governor Christine Todd Whitman honors Craig Shelton as the “individual or institution, which has done the most to improve the image of New Jersey”

Cervena Plates Cuisine Competition, 1996
Craig Shelton takes first prize in international cooking competition.

The Express-Times, August 1996
By Theresa Anderson
"In five years, The Ryland Inn has become one of the finest eateries in the nation."

Forbes Newspapers, March 1996
By Phyllis Reckel
"A Ryland Inn dinner is one of life's little pleasures."

The New York Times, Review: "Extraordinary ****", June 11, 1995
By Fran Schumer “When does a restaurant rate extraordinary? When, after three or four hours, you don’t walk out of the dining room, you float”. “ Country Kitchen, City Palate--The Ryland Inn Is an Exquisite Mix”. Only 7 other restaurants in the United States have achieved this distinction.

Gourmet Magazine, May 1995
By: Richard Sax
The Ryland Inn named one of "The Ten Idyllic World-Class Country Dining Establishments" in an article "celebrating truly extraordinary cuisine".

The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences "5 Star Diamond Award"
Craig Shelton selected as "one of the world's best chefs"

Wine Spectator, December 15, 1993
Chef Shelton named one of "America's Eight Best Young Chefs".

Wining and Dining in New Jersey, November 1993
Anne Semmes and Valerie Sinclair, New York Times Reviewers
"New Jersey's Best Restaurant", 98/100, 4 Stars for Food.

Crain's NY Business, Star Ledger, Daily Record, The Princeton Packet, The Asbury Park Press, Princeton Living, "4 Stars" 1993

Daily Record, "4 Stars" November 20, 1993

Wines of the World Festival, Laguna Niguel, CA, October 1993
The Ryland Inn wine list, composed by Chef Shelton, wins "Number One French Wine List in America"

PBS Series “Great Chefs of the East”
Chef Shelton named one of twenty chefs chosen east of the Mississippi to appear on PBS Series "Great Chefs of the East"