Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeffrey Paige.
Named one of the most promising chef’s of the 90’s by Yankee Magazine, New Hampshire Union Leader and The Boston Globe, Jeffrey’s simple comfort food cookery, coupled with his appreciation for New England’s rich culinary history and love for the Shakers, was the inspiration for creating the award-winning dining experience at Canterbury Shaker Village.
From 1988 to 2000 critics and the dining public alike embraced his outstanding cooking style and American regional cuisine. A top graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York, Chef Paige is a thirty year veteran of the food service industry. At the age of twenty-one, he procured his first executive chef position at Levi Lowell’s Restaurant in Merrimack, NH. Under his culinary direction the restaurant received numerous hospitality awards including “Best Restaurant North of Boston” by Fortune Magazine and The Boston Globe. He’s had the honor of cooking several times for Julia Child, once for her birthday, President George Bush, and the European Parliament. His achievements have been praised in Bon Appetite Magazine, Gourmet Magazine, Yankee Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, The Boston Phoenix, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, National Geographic Travel Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, International Herald Tribune, German magazines Geo and Der Feinschmecker, and the New Hampshire Union Leader. Chef Paige has also been featured on National Public Radio and public television in the United States, Canada, and England, ABC’s Cleveland Morning Exchange, The Food Network, The Nashville Network and ABC’s Good Morning America with Julia Child.
In 1991 Jeffrey started New Hampshire’s Farm to Restaurant Connection. Twenty five years later he is still an advocate for sourcing locally, working with dozens of local farmers and producers through New Hampshire’s four seasons. He is the co-author of Cooking in the Shaker Spirit with renowned chef James Haller, formerly of The Blue Strawbery Restaurant, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. His second cookbook, The Shaker Kitchen ~ Over 100 Recipes from Canterbury Shaker Village, was published by Clarkson Potter in April of 1994 and has sold over 100,000 copies. In 1991 Paige started New Hampshire’s Farm to Restaurant Connection. Twenty six years later he is still an advocate for sourcing local, working with dozens of local farmers and producers through New Hampshire’s four seasons.
As part of its fiftieth anniversary celebration in 1996, The Culinary Institute of America recognized him as one of its top 100 distinguished alumni from the 1976-1986 decade. In the fall of 2000, he opened Cotton, an American Supper Club, in Manchester, New Hampshire’s historic millyard district. The restaurant opened to critical acclaim being named “One of the Top 10 Neighborhood Restaurants in the Northeast” by Bon Appetite Magazine, labeled “a hip bistro” by the New York Times, a not-to-be missed restaurant in New England by National Geographic Traveler Magazine and Best Overall Restaurant and Best Martinis in New Hampshire year after year by New Hampshire Magazine’s Best of New Hampshire Reader’s Poll.
In the fall of 2002, he opened Starfish Grill, a restaurant dedicated to celebrating New England’s rich bounty of fresh seafood. He sold the restaurant to his partner in 2007. In February of 2009, he released his third cookbook, COTTON ~ The Cookbook. In December of 2014 Cotton Cocktails, coauthored with wife/business partner, was published. In September Cotton celebrates its’ 17th anniversary.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it has not always been a smooth ride. Partnership break-up. Not having a pre-planned exit strategy. Other than that, we’ve had 17 great years and counting.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Cotton Restaurant – what should we know?
COTTON features the cooking of multi-award winning Chef/Author/Owner Jeffrey Paige and award-winning cocktails by Mixologist/Author/Owner Peaches Paige. Located in Manchester, New Hampshire’s historic millyard district, Cotton is known for its farm to table comfort food with a twist and award winning cocktails,
Reminiscent of the cosmopolitan old world hangouts of America’s great cities, like New York, Chicago and New Orleans, at the turn of the 20th century – COTTON is the quintessential American supper club, providing friendly yet professional service and a comfortable welcoming atmosphere for anyone who appreciates simple honest food. Both a classic neighborhood restaurant (named “One of the ten best neighborhood restaurants in the Northeast” by Bon Appetit Magazine) and a destination for diners throughout central New England, Cotton features an extensive wine list with over 35 wines by the glass, and has been awarded the honor of “Best Martinis in New Hampshire” year after year after year by the readers of New Hampshire Magazine.
“It’s the place the New York Times calls “hip”.”
Chef Jeffrey Paige founded New Hampshire’s Farm to Restaurant Connection in 1990 and still a strong advocate for sourcing local and sustainability. Cotton is one of 15 certified local restaurants in New Hampshire.
In September 2017, Cotton started its 18 year.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
James Haller, former chef/owner of The Blue Strawbery Restaurant, Portsmouth, NH. I first met him when is was 15 years old and took a cooking class he was teaching. I fell in love with cooking from that day on. We worked together at Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury, NH from 1988-1990. I stayed on as the executive chef/director of the museum’s food service until the spring 2000 when I left to open my own restaurant, COTTON.
I was fortunate to spend time/work with a few of the Canterbury Shaker Sisters before they passed. The museum had organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, local dairy, cheeses, smokehouse. This experience taught me the riches of New England food ways and history.
Contact Info:
- Address: COTTON Restaurant
75 Arms Street
Manchester, NH 03101 - Website: www.cottonfood.com
- Phone: 603-622-5488
- Email: Cotton@grolen.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cotton-Restaurant-67373474017/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cotton-manchester-2?osq=Restaurants
- Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g46152-d560070-Reviews-Cotton-Manchester_New_Hampshire.html
Image Credit:
Brian Smestad
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