The “Star” at the stove is Lorena’s Humberto Campos, Jr., while a “Chef to Watch” is Ariane Duarte, chef at Orange Lawn Tennis Club and Montclair’s Culinariane. So says Teresa Politano, whose book, Celebrity Chefs of New Jersey, was published by Rutgers University Press in November. To celebrate his selection as one of “The Stars,” Campos spoke and prepared salmon tartare at Words on Tuesday night. The timing was ideal, of course, as Maplewood marks Restaurant Week this week, and South Orange looks forward to its first-ever Restaurant Week starting Sunday.  Lorena’s has participated in …

When Arturo’s Osteria and Pizzeria owner Dan Richer greeted me on Tuesday it was with a bowl of soup. Now, I won’t be greeted any other way. We sat down over locally grown butternut squash soup with bread Dan made earlier that day to discuss the progression of his restaurant over the past few years. The restaurant has evolved from a traditional pizzeria to an osteria and pizzeria dedicated to making food that is in season and locally grown. We’ve all heard the term “locavore” and—before you groan—don’t let hipster jargon turn you off to what’s at the heart of that word.  You are eating fresh …