Keith Ahern is the Executive Chef at the Inn at Swarthmore in Swarthmore, PA. A native of Northern Virginia, Ahern oversees menu development, as well as culinary staff management, for both the Inn and the Broad Table Tavern, the Inn’s on-site farm to table restaurant.

Ahern’s upbringing in a large Italian family planted the seeds for his love of food. Deciding to pursue his passion for all things culinary at age sixteen, he began climbing the career ladder quickly, eventually migrating to South Carolina where the unique flavors and techniques of Low Country cuisine became the foundation for Chef Ahern’s evolving culinary style. Eventually hard work brought him back to Virginia, where he further honed his skills working under Chef Chris Edwards at The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm, one of the first true farm to table restaurants in the U.S. Before coming to Swarthmore, Ahern served as Executive Sous Chef at the Four Star, Five Diamond Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia.

Ahern loves all things outdoors. When he is not in the kitchen, chances are he’s in the nearby Pennsylvania back country hiking with his dog River, and foraging for fresh, exciting ingredients.