What inspired you to move to the country? 

There was something missing from my life in NYC, despite the fact that I had a great job, a great apartment and plenty of friends. I suspected it was the natural beauty of a place like Maine and I was proven right upon arrival. I remember pulling my U-Haul into the driveway on a late spring day and walking down to the ocean with the dogs. They jumped in immediately, and I think we finally all felt free. 

 

 

Initially what was the hardest part about making the move? What challenges came later?

Leaving my friends behind. Not knowing what lay ahead. Feeling alone and without a partner to help me build a new life. Gaining respect as a young, female business owner in a pretty tight community. The greatest challenge of all would come later with the opening of my restaurant, which was not well-received by the community. It made me feel as though despite all the goodwill I had created with the cooking school and supper club, I had to start over, once again seeking approval from a community that is opposed to change. And then there was trying to find a partner. That took a while. The dating scene in Maine wasn’t exactly plentiful. 

 

 

What surprised you most about country living? Did it meet your expectations?

I love country living. There was a pretty substantial learning curve involved in certain aspects of it: growing food, raising chickens, preserving meats and vegetables, caring for honey bees and making cider. What I love most is the cyclical nature of it, the seasons changing and our daily lives being a function of that change. I love aspects of each season: cross country skiing in the winter, planting seeds in the spring, picking berries in the summer and apples in the fall.  I could no longer live in a place without seasons. 

 

 

What were the hardest things to get used to? What do you miss the most about the city?

Very little. I think I was always meant to live in the country. I love going back to the city to visit, going out to eat, seeing old friends, checking out what's driving the markets. And I love New York…it’s an incredible place. I just don’t want to live in a city anymore. 

 

 

Would you ever go back to an urban existence? 

Never. 

 

 

What do you appreciate the most about life in the country?

Again, seasonal change. The elements. The way the ocean and the landscape humbles your very existence. 

 

 

What advice would you give to someone thinking of moving out of the city?

Why are you doing it? What do you want out of a rural life? If it’s more money, stay put. If it’s a lifestyle your after, I highly recommend it.

 

 

When you go back to visit the city, what are the first three things on your to-do list?

Go to my favorite restaurants, most of which have become institutions at this point. Walk through the farmers market in Union Square and go to Barnes & Noble, sit on the floor for hours and read every new cookbook. We don’t have access to these things in Maine. 

 

 

Where do you draw your inspiration and passion from for your work?

From an innate desire to feed people and watch them fall in love with the cooking process. 

 

 

Have you noticed a change in yourself and/or your work since moving away from the city?

For sure. My style of cooking has changed dramatically. It is much less technique and recipe driven and much more focused on resourcefulness and instinct. I cook whole vegetables, meat on the bone and found ingredients. I cook over fire, experiment with fermentation and make everything from scratch. 

 

 

Walk us through a typical day in your country existence? 

I wake up, feed and water the dogs and chickens, fire up the wood stove, put on the kettle and then sit down to check my email. Depending on the season, I’ll either put in a few hours on the farm, or at the restaurant or teach a class at the cooking school. Then, I’ll either host at the restaurant or have friends over for dinner or go to someone else’s house for a dinner party. Much of my life, well really all of my life, centers around food. 

 

 

Are there things that you are able to do here that you wouldn’t have dared to try before moving from the city?

Killing a chicken, swimming in freezing salt water, using an axe and building fires, all kinds of country cooking and lastly, I hang out with a much wider demographic of people. In the city, I mostly hung out with other 20 somethings. Here, I spend my time with people of all ages.

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Do you have a specific space or place that helps you feel inspired? 

My home, which I treasure. My kitchen with the wood stove burning. My backyard, which has a little kitchen garden, my sweet little chickens, my dogs trying to get into the compost pile and a hammock that hangs between two old apple trees.

 

 

What are some common misperceptions about life in the country? What do you want people to know/understand about life in small communities? 

Yes, the cost of living is cheaper, but there are very few jobs for young people unless you are a tradesman. 

 

 

What are your future plans/goals for the coming year?

I’m writing a cookbook entitled “The Full Moon Suppers” Cookbook, in addition to running my cafe and market in Rockport, Maine and my cooking school and farm in Lincolnville, Maine.