Cook

From Lewes, for Lewes. For Andrea Wells, Lewes isn’t just where she works—it’s home.

Raised in Lewes, Andrea loves being part of a restaurant that celebrates the community she grew up in. After spending time rolling sushi at Stripers Bites, she was ready for a new challenge and a better work-life balance.

“I wanted to find a new place to utilize my skills while having a schedule that allowed for a better work-life balance,” she says.

Andrea joined Lewes Oyster House in November 2022 and has been helping set the foundation for each day’s service ever since, working alongside a team she considers family.

In the kitchen, mise en place means having everything in its place before service begins. It’s also a fitting way to describe Andrea.

Executive Chef Sean Corea doesn’t hesitate when describing her impact on the kitchen:

“Andrea is one of the most organized, clean, and methodical chefs I’ve ever worked with. She never looks for recognition. She comes in every day focused on putting out the best product possible and making sure everyone around her has what they need to be successful. She’s truly one of the backbones of our kitchen.”

It’s that quiet consistency that has earned Andrea the respect of her teammates and made her an invaluable part of the Lewes Oyster House kitchen.

If you’ve ever enjoyed a meal at Lewes Oyster House, there’s a good chance Andrea had a hand in it.

As part of the daytime prep team, her mornings begin by receiving deliveries, organizing the kitchen, and preparing ingredients for both lunch and dinner service. With the menu changing throughout the seasons and new features appearing regularly, no two days are ever quite the same.

“It’s always fun because there’s such a wide variety of things to make.”

One of Andrea’s biggest responsibilities is cutting the fresh fish for the restaurant, but she’s perhaps best known for preparing one of the restaurant’s summer favorites: the ceviche, her own recipe and one of the most popular dishes on the menu. During the busy season, the kitchen prepares batch after batch to keep up with guest demand.

When Andrea isn’t in the kitchen, she enjoys spending time in her own garden, being with family, playing golf, listening to music, and taking long walks.

She also enjoys helping care for the restaurant’s small garden tucked behind Lewes Oyster House, where herbs, tomatoes, and other seasonal ingredients find their way into the kitchen. “It’s always one of my favorite parts of the day.”

It’s another thoughtful detail that reflects Andrea’s care—not just for the food, but for everything that helps make Lewes Oyster House special.

Favorite Menu Item?
“The burger is always my favorite, but I love all of the fresh summer flavors we have going on. Our head shucker, Erikah, always has great features coming from the raw bar.”

Perfect Pairing?
“A glass of wine and a charcuterie board at Heirloom with my boyfriend.”