Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Greco.
Matthew, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
– Grew up in Greenwich, CT.
– Grew up in a “Italian house”. First learned to cook watching and helping great grandmother and father cook “Feast of Seven Fishes” for Xmas eve.
– Attended Greenwich High School ’95, captain of the football team.
– Attended NYC culinary arts’ “Professional Chef Program.”
– Attended Cambridge School of Culinary Arts “Professional Chef Program”
– Won the Madeline Kayman Award.
– Worked in some of the top Italian restaurants in Boston including stints at “Via Matta” named one of the top Italian restaurants in the U.S. And “Formaggio Kitchen” one of the best cheese shop in the country.
– Moonlighted as a Personal Chef in Brookline Ma, for over 2 years.
– Opened “Blue Moon Evolution” as the executive chef. Exeter, NH
– Nominated for Best Chef of Sea Coast (NH) for 4 consecutive years.
– Co owner of “The Kitchen, Blind Pig Provisions, Portsmouth Catering Co.
– Has been featured on Phantom Gourmet for both The Kitchen and Blind Pig Provisions.
– Has been featured on “Diners, Dives and Drive in with Guy Fieri, for The Kitchen.
– Lives in Portsmouth, NH with wife Christy, daughter Emilia (7) and son August (3).
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Never a smooth road. From opening The Kitchen in 2011, trying to build a following, cash flow issues and the always staffing issues. But with the growth of Portsmouth NH and the accolades we have been able to keep our heads above water.
Please tell us about The Kitchen Restaurant Group.
-2011, We opened The Kitchen Eatery and Catering. 50 seat chefs take on a New York style deli. We serve everything from soups, salads, to sandwiches and paninis, to grilled flatbread pizza to pastas, to gourmet burgers fun apps and of course our spudsters, and fried mashed potato balls. The kitchen has been named one of the top 30 restaurants in the seacoast, featured on Phantom Gourmet and Triple D with Guy Feiri. Winner of numerous local awards from best sandwich, to winner of chili and chowder fests.
– 2013 opened Portsmouth catering company, with the growth of the kitchens catering requests we started Portsmouth catering. Specializing in event catering and weddings. Pcc will do 40 plus weddings each year. We have won best catering of the sea coast 3 years straight.
-2015 opened Blind Pig Provisions on Badger’s Island in Kittery, ME, just over the memorial bridge from Portsmouth. New England gastro pub focusing on New England fare and BBQ. With great view of the Piscataqua River which separates NH and ME. featured on Phantom Gourmet.
The Kitchen Restaurant Group strives to serve the best ingredients available, work with passion and love.
Most proud of the growth over the 3 companies over the past 6 years.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Cooking memories, there are few from picking and frying zucchini flowers with my Italian great grandmother to making crepes with my Swedish grandmother to cooking the Feasts of the 7 Fishes with my father.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Kitchen – 171 Islington St., Portsmouth, NH
Blind Pig Provisions – 2 Badgers Island West, Kittery, ME
Portsmouth Catering -Hampton, NH - Website: Www.thekitchennh.com | Www.blindpigmaine.com | Www.portsmouthcateringco.com
- Phone: 603-969-1839 The Kitchen 207-703-0079
- Email: feedme@thekitchenh.com
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