Delaware

These 6 UD roommates dish on best bites as the ‘Newark Foodies’

Published

3 weeks ago

January 20, 2026

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These 6 UD roommates dish on best bites as the ‘Newark Foodies’

Six University of Delaware roommates started the popular Instagram account Newark Foodies.
The account, which began as a hobby, has grown to nearly 8,000 followers.
The students collaborate with local restaurants to spotlight menu items and host giveaways.

It started more than two years ago when a then-University of Delaware sophomore pitched an idea to her five roommates: an Instagram page dedicated to the eateries of Newark.

“I remember thinking, ‘What’s one thing everyone in Newark can relate to that hasn’t really been done yet?” says Hockessin native Leah Pala, 22, recalling the launch of Newark Foodies (@newarkfoodiess).

Ever since that day at Santa Fe Mexican Grill on Main Street with roommates Angelina Pala, Isabella McKenna, Katrina Heinz, Julia Query, Claire Taggart, the sextet has been posting about their meals in the college town, gaining nearly 8,000 followers.

As the housemates prepare for the final semester of their senior year, we chatted with Leah Pala about their favorite Newark spots, meals and more.

Question: Why did you start the account?

Answer: Besides the fact that we are huge foodies … it started as a fun hobby that my roommates and I did together in our free time. However, we never imagined it would get the attention it did, especially from local restaurants.

What was the first spot you featured?

Snap Pizza on Main Street.

What do you like about doing these videos?

We love being able to collaborate with local business owners and spotlight specific menu items that can genuinely help their businesses grow, especially small, locally owned spots. It’s also exciting to try new places and experience a wide variety of food. One of our favorite parts is hosting giveaways, which help boost visibility for both the business and our account while getting the community involved. It’s always fun seeing how far students will go for a gift card.

Any parts you don’t like?

There honestly isn’t much to dislike, but filming can get awkward at times, especially in sit-down restaurants. Obviously, we are not professionals, so six girls spending 20 minutes trying to get the best angle of their meal can get us a few stares. Coordinating six different schedules can also be challenging, between all of us and the restaurants. Most of the time, only two or three of us are able to go, but we always make it work.

Do you contact the owners before you arrive or tell them who you are when you’re there?

We usually reach out ahead of time. That’s when we discuss what kind of content we will create, whether it’s a post, video or stories. When we arrive, we sometimes have to remind them who we are, but it’s never an issue.

Do you pay for the food?

When we coordinate with restaurants ahead of time, we typically don’t pay, which we’re very grateful for. However, we never expect it.

What do you love about dining in Delaware?

I love how much variety Delaware offers. There’s a great mix of small, local spots and higher-end restaurants. I also love how a lot of places focus on creating an experience, offering live music, seasonal events, and themed nights.

Do you ever get recognized? What’s that like if you do?

At first, we preferred staying anonymous and didn’t think it was necessary to be in the posts and videos. But as the account grew, especially among UD students, it became harder to hide our little secret, especially from our close friends. Towards the end of sophomore year, students would come up to us if they saw us filming and ask if we were Newark Foodies. It was never anything crazy, but it was always fun seeing classmates’ reactions. We still don’t think a ton of people know who we are, especially underclassmen.

What’s the funniest moment you’ve had while filming?

There isn’t one specific moment, but there have been several times where all six of us go in, order way more food than planned, thinking we’ll only take a few bites each, when we really end up finishing everything. There have also been times when only a couple of us go in planning to bring back food for the rest … and somehow it never makes it home.

What’s the best eatery you’ve featured?

This is such a hard question because everything we have tried has been great. If we had to choose one, it would be The Greenhouse Gastropub on Main Street. After our first visit, we brought friends and family back immediately. The food is consistently flavorful, and the staff is always so welcoming. They have a really unique and fun atmosphere, especially the upstairs bar. Every meal we’ve tried is truly out of this world and we think they deserve more recognition.

Without naming names, is there one that was particularly bad or an experience that went poorly? What happened?

Honestly, no. We’ve had zero bad experiences. Everyone we’ve worked with has been incredibly kind and generous and the entire experience has been overwhelmingly positive.

Best dish you’ve tried in one of your videos?

This one’s tough, but we’d have to say the cheesesteaks, especially the beef and buffalo chicken cheesecakes, from Balboa Steaks. It’s genuinely comparable to some of the best Philly cheesesteaks. We’d also have to say Santa Fe’s nachos, easily some of the best we’ve had in Delaware.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve tried?

We haven’t tried anything too unusual, but the steamed BBQ pork buns from Ugly Dumpling stand out since none of us had tried anything like that before. Running this account has definitely made us more adventurous with food.

What are your top three restaurants or eateries in Delaware, whether you’ve featured them or not?

Our top three would be The Greenhouse Gastropub, Klondike Kate’s, and UD students’ go-to Sunday morning spot, The Hot Original Bagels.

Is there a Delaware restaurant or eatery that’s not well-known that should get some recognition and why?

We don’t think enough people know about Cafeneo in Newark. They have delicious Greek food, seasonal coffee drinks, and a beautiful interior that is completely different from anywhere else in the area. It’s such a unique spot that deserves more attention.

What’s really surprised you about being a food influencer?

How open and excited restaurants are to collaborate, especially since our audience isn’t that big. We thought reaching out might be difficult, but owners have been just as eager to work with us as we are to work with them. They’ve made the entire process easy and genuinely fun.

DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

Is there a cuisine Delaware doesn’t have much of that you’d love to see come here?

Honestly, Delaware offers most of the cuisines we love. There are great options for Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Mediterranean and American food. I think Delaware does a really good job offering solid staples for each cuisine.

Is there a food trend you are so over?

Overpriced food with very small portions. We haven’t featured any places like that, but I’ve definitely been to restaurants in Delaware where that’s been the case. And in my opinion, it’s not worth it.

And finally, do you have any advice for anyone hoping to become a food influencer on Instagram?

Our biggest advice is to stay consistent and not be afraid to reach out to restaurants. The worst thing they can say is no. It can feel silly and awkward filming at first, but it’s worth it. Most importantly, have fun with it, get creative and be open to what business owners want to showcase. We’re just six college girls with zero background in marketing or influencing, so if we can do it, anyone can.

Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier).

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Delaware

Delaware Valley wrestling powers past Hopewell Valley

Published

5 minutes ago

February 7, 2026

Press Room

Delaware Valley wrestling powers past Hopewell Valley

HOPEWELL TWP. — The powerhouse Delaware Valley High School wrestling team appears to be right where it wants to be in pursuit of a fourth Group 1 state championship in five years.

Ranked fourth in The Trentonian’s Public School state rankings, Delaware Valley upped its record to 17-0 on Friday night when it beat Hopewell Valley, 61-12, in the so-called “Dawg Brawl in the Valley.”

The fact DelVal won easily was, of course, no surprise. What was a positive was the way it got the job done, particularly from 175 through 215 against three of Hopewell Valley’s better wrestlers.

“I felt really good about how we wrestled tonight,” said Delaware Valley coach Andy Fitz after his team handed Hopewell just its second loss of the year. “We were (recently) off the mats for a week, but we are really rolling again. We want to be our best in February and March. We wrestled very well against a well-coached team tonight. I was really happy with some of those results in the upper weights.”

Hopewell Valley held its own in the early going when Luca Schiavon had a nice 5-2 win at 120, Parker Humphrey prevailed, 4-3, at 126 and Dylan Hersh pinned at 138.

The problem for Hopewell was DelVal is stacked in the middle and four straight pins quickly gave the Hunterdon County team a 39-12 lead.

One of the best bouts of the night followed at 175 where Hopewell Valley’s Ethan Barker hit a Peterson Roll and led Olivier Paul, 7-6, after one period. From there, however, Paul wisely elected to wrestle mostly on his feet and the result was takedown clinic en route to a 20-10 major.

Hopewell Valley 190-pounder Scott Mangan has a record of 23-2, but he proved to be no match on this night for Matthew Sencher. The result was a Sencher pin in 1:31 with a cradle as the lead ballooned to 49-12.

DelVal’s Luke Cyphert then hammered home another victory when he pinned Gavin Barker in 2:52 at 215 pounds. This left Gavin Barker at 15-6 on the season afterolder brother Ethan Barker earlier fell to 21-3.

When Luken Alberdi pinned at heavyweight, it meant DelVal was able to record nine pins on the night.

With the regular season rapidly winding down, it’s reaching the point where DelVal’s focus will center on the sectionals, which get underway on the Monday of Feb. 16. DelVal’s biggest challenge in Group 1 could very well come from Manville (25-0) in its own Central Jersey section.

“We do a lot of with Manville during the summer and we are as familiar with each other’s opposing lineups as we are with our own,” said Fitz. “We also actually do a lot with Hopewell Valley too. Manville is a very well coached program. It should be a fun night (in the expected sectional final).”DelVal certainly looks ready.”

Delaware Valley 61, Hopewell Valley 12

f106: Vincent Rainey (DVR) over Said Jan Rahmani (HVH) (Dec 9-3)113: Jaxon Bingert (DVR) over (HVH) (For.)120: Luca Schiavon (HVH) over Tristan Fawthrop (DVR) (Dec 5-2)126: Parker Humphrey (HVH) over Tanner Donaruma (DVR) (Dec 4-3)132: Julian Bednar (DVR) over Dylan Somma (HVH) (Fall 2:42)138: Dylan Hersh (HVH) over Jacob Maddalena (DVR) (Fall 3:58)144: Tye Falkenstein (DVR) over Jace Kalina (HVH) (Fall 1:25)150: Michael Hasson (DVR) over Louis Decibus (HVH) (Fall 1:28)157: Hunter Taffera (DVR) over Max Pollara (HVH) (Fall 3:32)165: Kieran Sutter (DVR) over Ben Franco (HVH) (Fall 1:12)175: Olivier Paul (DVR) over Ethan Barker (HVH) (MD 20-10)190: Matthew Sencher (DVR) over Scott Mangan (HVH) (Fall 1:31)215: Luke Cyphert (DVR) over Gavin Barker (HVH) (Fall 2:52)285: Luken Alberdi (DVR) over Ken Pineda (HVH) (Fall 0:54)

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Delaware

DelDOT designing Route 9 pedestrian bridge

Published

12 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Press Room

DelDOT designing Route 9 pedestrian bridge

After years of debate, a pedestrian bridge over busy Route 9 could be coming to Cool Spring.

Sen. Chris Coons recently shared congressionally funded projects included in the appropriations package passed by the Senate. In total, $68 million was secured for Delaware projects.

Among the recipients is the Delaware Department of Transportation for completion of the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail, including a new pedestrian bridge and approaches.

According to Charles “C.R.” McLeod, DelDOT’s director of community relations, the funds will go toward design of a pedestrian bridge over Route 9.

“The funding will be used to move forward with design for an elevated trail crossing on Route 9 at Cool Spring,” McLeod said. “We don’t have dedicated project funding yet or a timeline – the design work will help determine the exact layout and rendering of the structure, and provide us with an estimate of what the project will ultimately cost to build, so a lot of details are still to be determined.”

The final phase of the trail is projected for completion in late 2026. This six-mile stretch, running from Airport Road in Georgetown to Fisher Road in Milton, will complete the 17-mile, $17.4 million project, making it Delaware’s longest continuous trail. The first phase in Lewes opened nearly a decade ago in October 2016.

In 2017, the section of railroad that runs from Cool Spring to Lewes was decommissioned after it was determined that repairs to the swing bridge over the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal in Lewes would be too costly. While the trail’s first phase was built adjacent to the railroad, future phases between Lewes and Cool Spring were built on the former railroad track after it was removed. Railroad tracks remain from Georgetown to the Harbeson area.

It’s unclear if DelDOT has decided to move forward with a bridge for the trail. In December, the Delaware Bicycle Council approved a grant of $35,000 to Sussex County for a feasibility study for a tunnel under Route 9 at Cool Spring at the same location.

“Sussex County has been in contact with DelDOT representatives and will coordinate efforts to ensure we are working together to determine the feasibility of either crossing, whether it be a bridge or a tunnel,” said Chip Guy, Sussex County’s communications director.

The Stephen P. Hudson Park trailhead sits on the south side of Route 9. Trail users are discouraged from crossing Route 9 at the park. Instead, the safest way to cross Route 9 now is to travel to Fisher Road, cross Route 9 at the signal and then head back east.

McLeod said DelDOT is committed to the pedestrian bridge.

“Yes, [we are] committed to the project; however, the project is not currently in our six-year capital transportation program, so it will need to be added and funded once a preliminary concept and estimate are completed,” he said.

Other funded projects in Sussex

• Better Homes of Seaford – $716,000 for construction of affordable housing in Seaford

• Children and Families First Delaware Inc. – $632,000 for renovation and expansion of a foster youth home in Seaford

• Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware Inc. – $2.5 million for construction of affordable housing in Milford

• Milford Housing Development Corp. – $750,000 for construction of affordable housing in Kent and Sussex counties

• NeighborGood Partners – $2 million for construction of affordable housing in Laurel

• Sussex County Habitat for Humanity – $1 million for construction of affordable housing in Sussex County.

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Delaware

Camden firefighter killed in Delaware River identified

Published

1 day ago

February 5, 2026

Press Room

Camden firefighter killed in Delaware River identified

Howard Bennett, a veteran Camden firefighter, has been identified as the man who lost his life in a work incident on the Delaware River on Feb. 5.

According to a statement from the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, Bennett was a longtime member of the Camden Fire Department. He fell through the ice at the Wiggins Park Marina in Camden and was later pronounced dead.

“Today, the city of Camden and the entire state of New Jersey lost a hero,” Mathew Caliente, president of the firefighter association, said in the statement.

“This tragedy is a stark and painful reminder that the dangers of this profession do not only exist within a burning building. Our members put their lives on the line every single day.”

Camden County Commissioner Jonathan Young released the following statement on on behalf of all the county commissioners.

““I extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the fallen Camden City firefighter as well as the men and women of the Camden City Fire Department,” Young said. “Every day, our first responders leave the comfort and safety of their homes without knowing for sure if they will return after their shift,” the statement read.

“The sacrifice of these dedicated individuals, as well as the sacrifices of their loved ones, affords all of us the opportunity to live in a safer community. This loss is felt not only in the City of Camden and Camden County, but reverberates throughout the state. We grieve alongside our first responders and are dedicated to ensuring this loss was not in vain.”

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill also shared her condolences.

“Devastated by the tragic passing of a veteran firefighter today in South Jersey. My thoughts are with his family and the Camden Fire Department during this difficult time,” Sherrill said.

The incident occurred sometime between 11-11:30 a.m. Camden City Mayor Victor Carstarphen confirmed the death during a press conference following the accident.

Bennett, previously unidentified, was reportedly on a fire boat doing a routine maintenance check when he somehow fell into the icy waters.

Firefighters from multiple departments, including some from Philadelphia, responded to the incident to help with the rescue attempt.

Jesse Flax, chief of the Camden Fire Department, said that all members of the department are grieving the incident.

“He was a dedicated firefighter who understood and knew his job very well,” Flax said during the press conference earlier in the day.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

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