LONG BRANCH, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy has given his $110,000 per year person chef at the Governor’s mansion in Princeton the night off and instead opted to dine alfresco at the swank ocean front restaurant, Avenue in Long Branch. According to NJ.com, Murphy’s personal chef, at least as late as November was Cesare De Chilles, owner of the B2 Bistro & Bar which has locations in Murphy’s own neighborhood, Red Bank, Point Pleasant and North Brunswick.
Murphy was spotted by a resident in a photo posted this evening in the Open NJ Now Facebook Group. Murphy’s personal chef is paid for by the state takes in $300 per day, not including the cost of food and other staff to feed the governor and his family, which is more than the average New Jersy resident’s weekly grocery bill.
Members of the group criticized Murphy for not masking up in the on the north side outer deck of the restaurant.