Celebrity chef Burke takes over management of Bernards Inn (updated)

Award-winning celebrity chef David Burke is checking into the hotel business.

After successfully taking over the food and beverage experience at The Hampshire Cos.-owned Bernards Inn, Burke is now managing the historic hotel in Bernardsville.

Under Burke’s direction, the circa-1907 inn is undergoing its first comprehensive renovation in two decades. All 20 guest rooms and suites will be refreshed with new color palettes, soft goods and furniture by the end of 2026. The hotel will remain open during the process, according to a recent press release.

The move comes three years after Burke partnered with Morristown-based The Hampshire Cos. to revitalize and then operate the Bernards Inn.

As part of the deal, Burke’s hospitality group started by overseeing food and beverage service. At the time, the property owners said Burke and his team would ultimately become responsible for the boutique hotel’s management. Since then, Burke has turned the inn’s restaurant into Red Horse by David, a modern American steakhouse. He also opened The Bernie, a basement supper club, in 2024.

The Hampshire Cos. also tapped Burke earlier this year to revitalize Station Tavern, another historic Bernardsville property in its portfolio. The reimagined eatery is billed as a “more casual and family-oriented counterpoint” to Burke’s signature Red Horse banner.

‘A natural evolution’

In addition to the Bernardsville establishments, Burke runs Orchard Park in East Brunswick and Red Horse in Rumson. Beyond New Jersey, Burke’s group of eight restaurants includes establishments in New York and Florida.

Through Burke previously had ventures in South Orange, Morristown, Sea Bright and Union Beach, he has trimmed his lineup in recent years as his business strategy has evolved, Nation’s Restaurant News recently reported.

Burke described his group’s foray into hotel management as “a natural evolution for our brand.” Besides restaurants, his growing lifestyle brand includes catering, consumer products and experiential hospitality.

“The Bernards Inn has always been a jewel of New Jersey hospitality. We’re elevating the guest experience while honoring everything people love about this property,” he said.

At The Bernards Inn, Burke’s team plans to bring back stay-and-dine packages that fell by the wayside during the pandemic. The team is also working to introduce seasonal and special interest experiences to help position the hotel as “a premier hub for reinvigorating getaways, romantic escapes and celebratory travel,” the release said.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 9:01 a.m. Oct. 15, 2026, to remove Dixie Lee Bakery in Keansburg from the list of establishments run by David Burke. Though it still appears on the company website as of publication, the location closed in June 2026.

The post Celebrity chef Burke takes over management of Bernards Inn (updated) appeared first on NJBIZ.