Portland Press Herald food writer Meredith Goad interviewed the chefs on stage on April 23, 2019.
Maine chefs Matt Ginn of Evo in Portland and the Chebeague Island Inn and Christian Hayes of Dandelion Catering and the soon-to-open Garrison in Yarmouth revealed what it’s really like to be on Food Network’s cooking competition show “Chopped” in an on-stage interview Tuesday at One Longfellow Square.
The consensus? Not exactly fun.
In their conversation with Portland Press Herald food writer Meredith Goad in front of a live audience, both chefs said they were initially hesitant to participate in the show, but admitted that winning was ultimately rewarding, though they paid for it with hours of waiting in a hot room, among other less-than-comfortable situations – one of which made #braincream a thing.
Maine’s labor crunch is never more apparent than in the spring when the state’s $6 billion tourism industry scrambles for workers. Construction and landscaping services ramp up, too. They are finding success in some surprising places.
Host: Press Herald Business Reporter Peter McGuire covers Maine trade, transportation and tourism. A proud native of the western Maine mountains, Peter has covered local news for newspapers in Oxford County, Brunswick, Waterville and Portland. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Boston University.
PANELISTS
Allyson Cavaretta, General Manager, Meadowmere Resort
Laura Dolce, Kennebunk Area Chamber of Commerce
Greg Dugal, Director of Government Affairs at HospitalityMaine
Greg Dugal has served as the President and CEO of the Maine Innkeepers Association and the Maine Restaurant Association. Greg now finds himself as Director of Government Affairs for both associations. Greg has been involved in the tourism and hospitality industry for almost 35 years, was named Chamber Executive of the Year by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and received honors as Restauranteur of the Year by the Maine Restaurant Association. Greg also served on the Board of Directors of the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Portland, the Maine Tourism Association, and the International Society of Hotel Association Executives, the Board of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and was past chair of the Maine Tourism Commission.