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Two San Ramon Valley chefs can add another accolade to their growing reputations.

Chef-2-Chef.net, a prestigious online culinary, site has named Rodney Worth of The Peasant and The Pear and Blackhawk Grill's Jason Buckley two of the top 50 chefs in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"This is a huge honor to even be considered with any of these chefs," said Worth, The Peasant and The Pear co-owner and executive chef. "We just thank our customers and the East Bay community for supporting us all of these years."

While the Chef-2-Chef honorees span the bay, only four operate restaurants east of the Caldecott Tunnel. Shane McAnnley, from Walnut Creek Italian and Mediterranean restaurant Va de Vi, and Executive Chef Matt Greco from The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards were among the winners.

"I am excited that Chef-2-Chef is realizing that there are great restaurants in the Bay Area, which are outside of San Francisco and Napa Valley," Worth said. "We've been doing some great, creative California cuisine in the San Ramon Valley for years."

The Peasant and The Pear also received the prestigious Michelin Recommended status the past two years as well as a top Zagat rating. Worth also owns The Peasant's Courtyard in Alamo, the Little Pear and The Prickly Pear Cantina in Blackhawk Plaza and the soon to open Ferrari's Cucina Italiano, also in Blackhawk Plaza.

Buckley, whose restaurant specialized in grilled seafood and steaks, graduated from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute. He won a bronze medal in the five-course menu category from the American Culinary Federation.

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