Gabe Barker, Chef and Owner of Pizzeria Mercato | Eater

"Opened in 2016 by a third-generation restaurateur alongside his parents—who previously ran the beloved, now-closed Magnolia Grill—this Carrboro pizzeria operates as a tight-knit, family-run neighborhood spot with a large base of regulars. The chef-owner, who cut his teeth in San Francisco kitchens including Pizzeria Delfina, applies a seasonally driven, detail-oriented approach to a heavily vegetable-focused, light style of cooking influenced by the farmers’ market directly across the street. Beyond service and sourcing, the restaurant places value on mentorship, taking on and training staff with little formal experience, and the owner says he has never regretted choosing this demanding but rewarding career path." - Dayna Evans