Meet the new chef of Crook’s Corner, the third in the storied restaurant’s history

Posted Oct 19, 2018
As Friday dinner service winds down, Bill Smith and his newfound protege, Justin Burdett, sit at the Crook’s Corner bar. In January, Burdett will become the third chef to lead the Crook’s kitchen, replacing Smith, an award-winning chef and author who will step out of the kitchen after more than 25 years. Smith took over from founder Bill Neal, an icon of Southern food. (Durham Herald-Sun)

Related: Campus Connections

Rich Eisen can’t bring himself to watch Stuart Scott ’30 for 30' yet
ESPN’s latest 30 for 30 documentary stays close to home, covering the life of Stuart Scott, an icon of the Worldwide Leader’s SportsCenter era. Rich...
Sun Feb 15, 2026

UNC business, nursing online programs rank among nation’s best
The 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Program Rankings place online master’s programs from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and the UNC School of...
Sat Feb 14, 2026

Gift from UNC alums will fund 20 Carolina Covenant scholars
A transformational estate gift from Dwight Jacobs ’87 and Moira Jacobs ’87 will support future generations of Carolina Covenant scholars. “If we could help 20...
Mon Feb 9, 2026

Tar Heels revel in winter weather (again)
Coming off the heels of last weekend’s snow/sleet/ice mix, UNC received more wintry weather this weekend. This time Tar Heels had pure snow to enjoy...
Sun Feb 8, 2026