January 19, 2025
Meet the Talent Behind the 2025 Chef Summit
On February 1, 2025, the Grand Summit Hotel will transform into a gourmet haven as we welcome 12 award-winning chef teams, each showcasing their own unique creations.
Say goodbye to the usual après-ski fare and get ready for a culinary experience that will tantalize your taste buds with bold, inventive flavors. This is your chance to sample dishes prepared by some of the finest chefs around. Trust us, these aren’t your run-of-the-mill burgers and fries!
Reserve Your Spot
Meet the Chefs
Meet the amazing local Maine chefs serving up unforgettable dishes, showcasing the best of the state’s fresh flavors and culinary talent.
Portland, ME
Chris Gould
Chef & Owner of Central Provisions & Tipo
In 2017 Chef Chris and Paige opened their second restaurant Tipo, featuring Neapolitan pizzas, handmade pastas and Italian themed small plates. Chris is also the proud father of two very strong-willed little girls, Lucille, and Jocelyn.
Portland, ME
Ilma Lopez
Pastry Chef & Owner of Chaval
A native of Venezuela, Ilma Lopez grew up in the kitchen alongside her grandmother. After getting her start at Malabar in Caracas, she was accepted to the pastry program at Stratford University in Virginia. Today, Lopez is the Pastry Chef and co-owner of Piccolo and Chaval in Portland, Maine.
Portland, ME
Damian Sansonetti
Chef & Owner of Chaval
In the summer of 2016, Damian and his business partner and wife Ilma purchased a restaurant in the West End of Portland, Maine. In 2017 they completed a complete renovation and launched Chaval. The restaurant has Spanish & French-inspired seasonal cuisine, craft cocktails, and a well-chosen wine list with a neighborhood atmosphere.
Cape Neddick, ME
Justin & Danielle Walker
Chef & Owners of Walkers
In 2018, Justin and Danielle Walker opened Walkers Maine in Cape Neddick. The Walkers menu revives classic New England dishes with chef Justin’s seasonal, modern perspective, bringing comfort and nostalgia that mixes the old with the new and celebrates a region rich in history and proud of its native ingredients.
Portland, ME
Hannah Ryder
Executive Chef at Twelve
Hannah's passion for cooking began early, nurtured by family dinners that emphasized the importance of good food and togetherness. Leading the kitchen at Twelve, she combines culinary tradition with a commitment to creating exceptional dining experiences, all while fostering a collaborative and innovative environment for her team.
Portland, ME
Togue Brawn
Owner of Downeast Dayboat Scallops
Togue has been a part of Maine’s commercial fishing industry for over 30 years and is on a mission to show Americans what scallops are supposed to taste like. In 2011, she founded Downeast Dayboat to work toward getting fishermen a better price and consumers a better product, which she does by shipping Maine dayboat scallops across the country within 24 hours of harvest.
Boothbay, ME
Lori Mitchell
Chef & Owner of Boothbay Craft Brewery
After 28 years working as an Independent Public Health Dental Hygienist (IPDH) in the dental field, Lori knew it was time for a new chapter. She, her husband Win, and their sons Riley and Cody decided to take the leap together into a family business. That vision became Boothbay Craft Brewery, Tavern, and RV Resort—a project they’ve hand-built and nurtured from 2006 to the present day.
Maine
Jessica Lalumiere
Private Chef at The UpBeetGinger
Jessica was born and raised in Maine. After earning her Certified Public Accountant license, she left her public accounting job to pursue her passion for cooking. In 2021, Jessica launched her own private chef business, UpBeetGinger. In this role, she prepares multi-course meals in clients' homes and customizes the menu to suit each host's preferences.
Edgecomb, ME
Jocelyn Gabriel
Sales Director at Glidden Point Oysters
Jocelyn is the Sales Director at Glidden Point Oyster and a proud native of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, where she grew up in a fishing family. From an early age, she was hauling traps by hand alongside her mother in Casco Bay. She also worked with her Merchant Marine father, gaining firsthand experience as he navigated the world of commercial fishing during his time off from shipping.
Portland, ME
Harding Smith & Sean Doherety
Chef and Owner of The Front Room Restaurant & Bar, The Grill Room & Bar, The Corner Room Kitchen & Bar, and The Boone's Room
Harding is a Mainer by birth. Once he graduated from Portland’s Deering High School, he left Maine to experience the rest of the world. After an apprenticeship in Venice, Italy, Chef Smith relocated to Maui, Hawaii where he was the chef of several well-known restaurants. Upon his return to Maine, Harding embarked on his dream, opening of a casual neighborhood restaurant and bar.
Waldoboro, ME
Maria & Shane McGarvey
Chefs & Owners of Applecroft Craft Catering
Shane and Maria, the co-owners of Applecroft, have established a catering company that embodies sustainable farming, a deep appreciation for the outdoors, and the art of wood-fired cooking. Together, Shane and Maria craft weekly seasonal menus in collaboration with the finest farmers and fisheries in Mid-Coast Maine.
Yarmouth, ME
Jen Bonaccorsi
Sales Director at Rogers Collection International Importer
Jen has been part of the Rogers team for the last 15 years. Rogers Collection has been a dedicated importer of extraordinary foods of distinctive quality, handmade by artisan producers who are committed to ethical and traditional production methods in Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and the Maghreb. They sell their products to wholesale retail accounts, chefs, and distributors across the U.S.
Newry, ME
Chad Davidowicz
Executive Chef at Sliders and the Sunday River Golf Club
Chad serves as the Executive Chef at both Sliders and the Sunday River Clubhouse. His culinary philosophy revolves around transforming tastes from around the country and infusing them with the spirit of Maine, creating a blend that celebrates the authenticity and the reinvention of Italian and French cuisine.
A Foodie Dream Come True
Tastebuds Delight
Gather your friends, bring your appetite, and prepare for a night of good eats, great drinks, and even better memories! This is the ultimate culinary event you won’t want to miss.
Tickets are available now, get yours before they’re gone.
See you on February 1, 2025, at the Grand Summit Hotel.