For Chef Sonny Sweetman, an after school job 20 years ago at the Harryman House Restaurant in his hometown of Reisterstown, Maryland, marked the beginning of his lifelong love of food and the culinary arts. Chef Sonny’s passion for cooking flourished during his time at Rudy's 2900 in Finksburg, Maryland. Working for Chef Rudy Speckham, a certified Master Chef from Germany gave him many opportunities as life progressed. Sonny later worked with Certified Master Chef Hartmut Handkee, in Columbus, Ohio, as well as Certified Master Chef Lawrence McFadden with the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company.
In March of 2003, Chef Sonny opened Abacrombie Fine Food and Accommodations. It was the “Best B&B in Baltimore”, listed by the Baltimore City Paper. It was a Bed and Breakfast with twelve beautifully appointed rooms and an elegant restaurant. The quality of the restaurant has inspired many positive critiques and reviews. In 2003, Abacrombie was selected as “Baltimore’s Best Restaurant”, by the Baltimore Sun. The restaurant was listed in Baltimore magazines as “Best Of ’03 and ’04.” One of Chef Sonny’s recipes was featured in Bon Appetite’s September ’04 issue. The article recognized his restaurant as the “place to be.” The restaurant was a finalist for “Best New Restaurant”, award given by the Maryland Restaurant Association. Food Network’s, Rachel Ray visited Abacrombie, and did a cooking show on “Slow Foods," featuring Chef Sonny in the Fall of 2006.
In Spring Of 2007, Chef Sonny helped start the opening of the new ultra luxury hotel, “Capella Hotels and Resorts”, at the Schloss Velden in Austria. Here Sonny worked with the legendary Hotelier Horst Schulze. After the opening of the resort, Chef Sonny returned to the US, to join the world wide recognized Wolfgang Puck Catering team. He began as the chef at the LA Live catering property and has since become the Executive Chef at Sony Pictures Studios located in Culver City.
Sonny received his college degree in Marketing and the Culinary Arts from the esteemed Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI. Chef Sonny’s passion and vision go way beyond his achievements. His creativity is exceptional and his cuisine regularly inspires his peers and guests. Sonny’s use of original, seasonal products stands out and makes his guests’ dining experience unforgettable.