Matt haley delaware biography

The compelling life of Matt Haley — from abuse, addiction and prison to successful entrepreneur, global philanthropist and James Beard Award winner.
The James Beard Foundation is deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic death of Delaware restaurateur and philanthropist Matt Haley, who passed away last night.
He learned to cook and became a successful restaurant owner and eventually a globe-trotting humanitarian.

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Pathways to success in Delaware via the blue bus

Delaware restaurateur Matt Haley legacy continues to live on thanks to his humanitarian efforts.

One of those efforts comes in the shape of a blue bus. The bus provides one non-profit organization in Sussex County the ability to transport students around to events that they normally wouldn’t travel because of the distance.

According to Faye Blake, Pathways to Success mission has always been to expose children in under served areas to much more than what their communities have to offer.

“Often times if where you are is all you see, you really don’t know what’s outside and maybe the possibilities for you,” Blake said.

Blake, the executive director of the organization said a very limited budget posed some challenges when it came to traveling until the late Haley stepped in and donated a blue bus. Although Haley donated the bus in April, the organization is finally putting it to great use. In fact, in October a group of students traveled to the Washington D.C to tour the White House.

“We wa

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In Memoriam: Matt Haley

The James Beard Foundation is deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic death of Delaware restaurateur and philanthropist Matt Haley, who passed away last night at the age of 53, after suffering injuries in an accident while on a humanitarian trip. Haley, who was honored with the 2014 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year award, was a selfless advocate for underprivileged youth in America and abroad, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities and nonprofits.

"Our Foundation honored Matt this year not only for his compassion and commitment to helping disadvantaged children and families locally in Delaware, but also for dedicating his time and resources to help people around the world," said JBF president Susan Ungaro. "We are shocked and saddened by the news of his death. He was on his way to Nepal to do the relief work for which he was so beloved. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends in the resta

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Scott is CEO of SoDel Concepts, which owns many business operations including: coastal Delaware restaurants, brewpubs, a consulting and management company, and a catering and events division. Scott has won myriad business awards over the years including the Marvin S. Gilman Superstar in Business Award, presented by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, the Cornerstone Award for Lifetime Achievement presented by the Delaware Restaurant Association, and has been named Best Business Leader in Delaware by the Delaware News Journal, and among the most influential restaurant executives in the nation by Nation’s Restaurant News. After leading the hospitality industry through the pandemic as Chairman of the Delaware Restaurant Association, Scott was bestowed a board member seat on the National Restaurant Association.

In 2013, after working for many years for SoDel Concepts under mentor Matt Haley, Scott was appointed president of the company, as Matt Haley, SoDel Concepts founder, wanted to concentrate on humanitarian work both home and abroad. After Matt’s untimely and tragi