What makes the race special is not who zips across the finish line first; it’s the camaraderie, community support and, of course, the costumes, which make the race fun to watch.
Kent Pumpkin Run Draws an Eclectic Crowd
By Wendy Carlson
Photographs by Wendy Carlson
If you scanned the crowd at the Kent Pumpkin Run last year, you might have spied the ecstatic ’70s fitness guru Richard Simmons among the colorful crowd of runners. Okay, so it was his doppelgänger, Nathan Samuel of New Milford, who ran the course wearing a tank top, a red bandana, and “shorty” shorts, with several leotard-clad female joggers in tow.
But real celebs including Kevin Bacon, Saturday Night Live’s Dana Carvey and Ted Danson have competed in the annual 5-miler. One year, Seth MacFarlane, a Kent native and creator of the television series “Family Guy,” designed the race T-shirt.
On October 26, the Kent Pumpkin Run will mark its 49th year, falling as it always has on the Sunday before Halloween. The traditional firing of the miniature cannon signals the start of the race. Runners stream out of Kent Green and go up along Cobble Road, before reaching a long downhill on Cobble Mountain and returning to the start.
It’s been a town wide event since the first year when the Kent Lions Club launched the race, and 113 runners toed the line. Through the years, race numbers increased but eventually began to falter. Then, more than a dozen years ago, the Kent Chamber of Commerce took over the event, and its members decided to hire a race director and “go all in,” according to race coordinator Dave Dunleavy.
“The result was 653 runners in 2010,” he said. “The number of registrants hit 938 a few years later. Although numbers have not reached those historic highs since, entries have typically been in the 450 to 500 range.
“The only year the race wasn’t held in person was 2020, the dreaded year of COVID, when the event was held ‘virtually.’”
Otherwise, the race is on, come hell or high water. Serious runners vie to beat the course records. In 2016, Hirut Angola set the women’s record with a time of 28:25. In 2012, Abdelhadi El Mouaziz set the overall course record with a time of 23:56:22.
But what makes the race special is not who zips across the finish line first; it’s the camaraderie, community support and, of course, the costumes, which make the race fun to watch. There are prizes for the fastest runner in multiple age groups and an award for best costume (which “Richard Simmons” and his entourage won last year).
Past memorable costumes included a posse of Mutant Ninja Turtles, and a six-pack of runners dressed as bottles, who ran while holding up their sides of the carton.
One year, Santa Claus was guiding his running herd of reindeer up Cobble Road when he nearly collided with a live deer that shot across the racecourse.
Robin and Rob Giese of Harwinton, who dressed as Wednesday and Uncle Fester from the Addams Family last year, look forward to designing their costumes. As for the unpredictable weather, Robin shrugged, “Even in a downpour, it is still a great race on a beautiful course,” she said.—www.kentct.com/kent-pumpkin-run
On September 14, Litchfield Magazine’s Savor Litchfield was the premier culinary event of the season held at the beautiful South Farms in Morris.
On September 14, Litchfield Magazine’sSavor Litchfield was the premier culinary event of the season held at the beautiful South Farms in Morris. It unforgettable afternoon of flavor as Chef John Bordeau of Sparrow in New Milford brought together 26 of the area’s top culinary talents, each prepared signature bites for guests to enjoy. There were craft cocktails from Litchfield Distillery and South Farms, upscale pop-up shops, live music by the Dirk Quinn Band, a full cash bar, and fun for the whole family with a dedicated kids zone.
Fall Fest and Ben March Scholarship Day, October 19, 10am-4:30pm Stop by March Farm for the 5th annual cornhole tournament, live music, vendors, food and many fall activities. 160 Munger Lane, Bethlehem
Bridgewater’s Trunk or Treat, October 31, 5:30-7:30pm Fun family night to receive and hand out candy! Prizes will be awarded for best decorated trunks. Bridgewater Town Center
Falls Village Recreation Halloween, October 31, 5-7pm Families are invited to the costume parade on Main Street and trick or treating around the village. The Center on Main (103 Main Street), Canaan
Halloween on the Farm, October 26, 1-3pm
Celebrate Halloween at Pinney Stables with trunk or treat, a costume contest, photo booth, and more. 3 Pinney Street, Colebrook
Halloween Night 3D Archery Shoot, November 1, 4-8pm Come out and celebrate Halloween with the Northwestern Connecticut Sportsmen’s Association ! Shoot, have fun, and show off a Spooktacular costume, if you dare. 177 Winsted Norfolk Road, Colebrook
Falls Village Fall Festival, October 18, 2-5pm
The Falls Village Recreation Commission and D.M. Hunt Library are excited to host the 3rd annual fall festival. The community event features food, live music, hayrides, a pie baking contest, and more! Town Farm Property, Route 63, Falls Village
The Forsaken Lands Outdoor Haunted Attraction, September 27-Nov 1, 7pm-10pm Connecticut’s latest and most cutting edge haunted attraction, opens its very creaky barn doors for the first season of fears at Action Wildlife! The inhabitants of this long forgotten farm village unleash their wrath on, and consume all who dare step foot onto their forbidden grounds. Recommended for ages 13+ 54 Bare Hill Rd., Goshen (Great Acres Farm) Free parking, General admission is $30, Fast Pass is $40
The Pumpkin Run 5K and Fall Festival, October 11, 8am-3:30pm
Run or walk the Harwinton Pumpkin Run 5K with festive pumpkins, kids dash, food trucks, and community fun. 100 Bentley Drive, Harwinton
$30 fee for the run
49th Kent Pumpkin Run, October 26, 12pm The 47th annual running of the Kent Pumpkin run and Kids fun race! Kent Green Kids Fun Race takes place 11:15am on race day.
Scarecrows in the Meadow, October 18-November 2 A community event celebrating the end of the harvest season. 82nd South Street, Litchfield (Tapping Reeve Meadow)
Camp Mohawk Pumpkin Fest, October 18, 11am-4pm
A wide variety of activities such as boating, archery, pumpkin painting, and delicious seasonal treats. YMCA Camp Mohawk – 246 Great Hill Road, Litchfield
$10 admission
Glowin Ghouls & Goblins Funday, October 24, 4-8pm Enjoy a free Halloween celebration with games, music, crafts, snacks, costumes, and spooky fun at Tapping Reeve Meadows. 82nd South Street, Litchfield (Tapping Reeve Meadow)
For grades 4th-5th ~ 4:00pm – 6:00pm
For grades 6th-9th ~ 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Morris Does Halloween, October 31, 5-6pm
Wear your costumes and participate in the costume contest for many prizes, enjoy a catered lunch, and more fun entertainment! Center of Town (James Morris School), Morris
Free
Kids Halloween Party and Parade , October 25, 1-3pm Wear your costumes to the library for some Halloween fun! Beekley Community Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford
Scarrybrooke Park Haunted Trail, October 11, 17, 18, 24, 25
Enjoy this haunted trail through Harrybrooke Park. 12 and up. 100 Still River Drive, New Milford
New Milford Trunk or Treat, October 26 4:30-6:30pm New Milford Parks and Recreation is excited to offer Trunk or Treat on the Town Green New Milford Town Green (25 Main Street)
Salisbury Fall Festival, October 10-12, Explore Salisbury and Lakeville’s weekend festival with artisan booths, live music, family fun, food, and special local events.Congregational Main St, Salisbury
Teen Halloween Party, October 29, 5;30-7:30pm
Teens can come in costumes! There will be karaoke, Hocus Pocus will be playing in the background! Games! Snacks! And a costume contest Torrington Library, 12 Daycoeton Place Torrington
Annual Wine and Food Tasting, October 25, 7-9pm Join the Warner Theatre’s biggest fundraising event, enjoy a night of tasting local foods, craft beers, spirits and wines. Nancy Marine Studio Theatre, 84 Main Street, Torrington $30 General Admision tickets, $100 VIP tickets
Torrington’s Ford Trunk or Treat, October 25 , 3:30-6:30pm, October 26, 10am-2pm Come dress in your spookiest and most creative costumes to check out the decorated cars. Free candy will be provided! Torrington Ford, 1350 East Main St, Torrington
Octoberfest & Cider Run 5K, October 18, 10:30am – 4pm Come out to Warren Woods and enjoy Family Fun, paired with the 5K Cider Run! Warren Woods, 255 Brick School Road, Warren
Jack-O-Lantern Contest, October 25, 10am-12pm Wear your costume (pets too!), showoff your carving skills with the annual Jack O Lantern contest, trick or treat and more! The Judy Black Memorial park and Gardens, One Green Hill Road, Washington Depot
Zombie Escape Race, October 11, 8:30am Come run in your favorite Halloween costumes! Veterans’ Memorial Park, 570 Nova Scotia Hill Road, Watertown $15 for kids race (11&under), $30 for zombie escape
46th Annual Fall Festival, October 4, 10am- 5pm Veterans’ Memorial Park, 570 Nova Scotia Hill Road, Watertown
Trunk or Treat, October 25, 3pm-4pm. Watertown High hosts a free Trunk-or-Treat with decorated vehicles, candy, Halloween prizes, and a safe family environment. Watertown High School parking lot, 324 French Street, Watertown
Tricks for Treats, October 26, 2-3:30pm Celebrate Halloween with your dog at Watertown’s Pawesome Halloween Pawty! Costume contests, fun activities, and spooky excitement for all. Watertown dog park, 1365 Main Street, Watertown
Trunk or Treat, October 25, 5:30-7:30pm Enjoy a safe & fun Halloween alternative for families! Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Winsted Playground, 75 Rowley Street, Winsted The entry fee is $5 per family.
3rd Annual Halloween Spooktacular, October 18-19, 10am-4pm
Whiting Mills transforms for a Halloween weekend with vendors, live demos, treats, raffles, interactive exhibits, and family-friendly activities. Whiting Mills, 100 Whiting St, Winsted
Halloween Sip & Shop, October 24, 6-9pm
Whiting Mills hosts a Halloween Sip & Shop After Dark with spooky décor, drinks, resident artists, and handcrafted gifts. Whiting Mills, 100 Whiting St, Winsted
Join Flanders Nature Center for a Ghost Town xperience at their 6th Annual Haunted Hikes! Between 4 PM and 6 PM, join a family friendly hike for a not-so scary walk in the woods. But, from 6:15 PM to 8 PM, be a braver soul for a spine chilling walk in the dark woods. The later walks are not recommended for children under 12 or the faint of heart. Be prepared for a night of adventure and dress for the worst of conditions!
The Studio 5 Church Hill Road Woodbury, CT.
The Haunted Hollow: Daylight and Dusk Tours, October 25, 4pm, 4:30pm, 5pm, 5:30pm, 6pm Glebe House Museum’s Haunted Hollow takes you on a thrilling, spooky stroll through history, architecture, and eerie local legends. 49 Hollow Road, Woodbury
The Haunted Hollow: Evening Tours, October 25, 6:30pm Glebe House Museum’s Haunted Hollow invites you to a spine-tingling walk through history, haunted homes, and shadowy spirits. 49 Hollow Road, Woodbury
Woodbury Lion’s Club Haunted Hayride, October 17-18, 24-25, 6:30-9:30pm
Haunted Hayride fun for all ages and a Kiddie Hayride. 14 School Street, Woodbury
Ground Zero: Witch Craft in Connecticut, October 4, 6:30pm Explore Woodbury’s “Witch” trials, colonial witchcraft, and haunting historical stories in an immersive, evening theatrical experience. 49 Hollow Road, Woodbury
$25 Admission
This Lakeville art home, Clouds, blends architecture, nature, and a world-class collection to celebrate creative spirit and design.
By Jamie Marshall
Photographs by John Gruen
Off a winding country road above the village of Lakeville, a discreet sign marks a driveway that leads past a cherry orchard to a tidy courtyard and a barn-like structure with cedar shake siding, a metal roof, and a stone chimney. A pair of sugar maples flanks the entry, where Bhutanese gongs grace a wall to the right of the front door. The home of real estate developer and art maven Maureen Jerome, Clouds is an outlier in the land of white clapboard Colonials and classic farmhouses. Built in 2016, the 6,000-square-foot house is a reflection of Jerome’s connection to the land, her love of big spaces, natural materials and—most important—her passion for art.
The New York City and Lakeville resident came to her calling in a roundabout way. “When I met my husband, John, his best friend was the artist Donald Judd,” she recalls. “He became godfather to our two children. He inspired me to become an art historian and I was in turn inspired by his vision. He taught me about scale, light, and space.”
Jerome left a management career to attend the Institute of Fine Arts at NYU and became president of the Judd Foundation in 1994, after the artist passed away. She left the foundation in 2003 when she launched ARTLIFEdesign, a real estate design development firm focused on the creation of artistically sensitive properties. Her goal was to design and build homes that aligned with her visual world and lifestyle. “I work from the inside out,” she says. “The site I select, the style of architecture, the scale of the rooms—the ‘all of it’ I think of as a big sculpture that is one harmonious environment.”
At the time, she and her husband were spending weekends in Connecticut to be near their daughters at The Hotchkiss School. To achieve her vision, Jerome bought 150 acres with good access on two roads, put half the land in conservation, and then designed five homes on 15-acre plots, sited so that they can’t be seen from the road or from each other. The landscape is primarily wildflowers, native grasses, and pollinator plants. Clouds was the last of the group; she and John (who died in 2021) moved in soon after they sold their weekend home in town.
Though the house has three floors, it was designed so that the couple could live on the main floor when they weren’t accommodating family and friends. From the entry, a 100-foot gallery with a 20-foot ceiling runs the length of the house, to a screened porch and a pool area. To the right, a light-filled living room and kitchen, dining area and den, which all face west over a mix of meadow, field, and wetlands that disappear into the rolling swoop of the horizon. To the left is a spacious primary suite. Each room is decorated with a mix of furnishings and accessories, most of which Jerome has gathered over the years. “I just use things I have and that I like,” she says.
Her collection of 20th- and 21st-century artists—much of which is on display throughout the house—is vast and diverse. Think Judd, Frank Stella, Ellsworth Kelly, Richard Serra, Robert Rauschenberg, Paul Chaleff, among others, as well as regional artists such as Henry Klimowicz.
“I have very famous blue-chip artists and local artists,” she says. “Somehow it all fits.”
Of Clouds, she says, “There is no frou-frou. The palette is totally neutral. And every once in a while, I use a splash of color; but otherwise it’s really not about the furniture in the house. It’s about the art and the views.”
Joy Brown sculptures bring whimsy and healing through clay, blending humor, spirituality, and Japanese-inspired artistic tradition.
By Frances Chamberlain
Photographs by Rana Faure
Joy Brown’s human-like sculptures are watching you, everywhere you go. Their benign faces are not blank, but whimsical, humorous even. The faces of the large oven-firedfigures have deep-set eyes and small open mouths, and seem to watch as people walk around them.
“I work in clay because it makes me happy. Calm, grounded,” Brown says. “And I think when other people see them, they feel happy—and that in itself is a healing force in this old world.”
“When I saw my big pieces in New York City on Broadway, with everybody going about their business at crosswalks, and cars passing by, nobody paying any attention to the sculpture … The sculpture sat there quietly, watching all this going on. The sculptures are representative of that part of us that’s witnessing everything we do, our spirit self, watching, aware.”
Her work, Brown says, embodies a wholeness and presence. No doubt, a lot of her experience came from training with a traditional Japanese artist.
“At first, in Kyoto, in a very rigid medieval environment, I made sake cups. I helped in the studio, and then threw on the wheel. It was a kind of meditation, an intuitive connection.”
After Kyoto, she went to study with Shige Morioka in the mountains of Wakayama, Japan. “I gained a broad understanding of ceramics. It had a profound impact on my work.”
Brown had grown up in Japan, where her missionary father had started a hospital. After living in Osaka, she studied in the U.S. and then returned to focus on ceramics in Japan. After her apprenticeship she came to Wingdale, where she says she got over being shy because she had to sell her work.
After producing so many sake cups in Japan, her work evolved into small animals. “They were little spirit forms, not aware of age, gender, culture, or skin color,” she says. “They touched a human part of myself.”
She met Denny Cooper, her mentor, in 1993. “He made me see my spiritual way in a community.” They formed Still Mountain Center, a nonprofit, and opened the studio to busloads of schoolchildren. Teaching in front of groups of children through Still Mountain, she explains, brought another good skill.
“It’s healing for me, once a sculpture goes out,” she says, “and a healing thing when people see a sculpture. You put a clay cup to your lips, and it’s healing. Clay is what people have done for tens of thousands of years.”
At her studio, she uses a woodfired kiln to finish her work. “It’s a nine-day process, in a 30-foot-long tunnel, she says. “It starts like a campfire; after four days, we’re putting wood in every 15 to 20 minutes.” The front is bricked up and wood goes through vents.
“Firing is like asking the universe for what you need,” she says. “Working together is what brings people together.” She needs a lot of friends to help manage the firing for the nine days.
Her partner, Jimmy Griffin, doesn’t help with the firing but he’s essential in many other ways. “He’s a masterful, self-taught engineer, and can move sculptures that weigh from 1,200 to 1,800 pounds,” she says. “In his spare time, he likes to rebuild vintage Volvos.”
Brown is part of this year’s Clay Way Studio Tour, which will take place on October 18 and 19, from 10 am to 5 pm. She is also the subject of a documentary, The Art of Joy Brown, by Eduardo Monte-Bradley.
The film about Joy’s work, “The Art of Joy Brown” has been accepted at the Mystic film festival and it will screen Otober 4, 11:30 AM in Mystic.
Explore top independent schools in Litchfield County offering exceptional academics, leadership, and personal growth opportunities.
FAMILIES SEEKING exceptional independent schools will find an extraordinary range of options in Litchfield County. From day schools with small class sizes to nationally recognized boarding programs, these schools offer distinctive approaches to learning, leadership, and personal growth. Signature programs in science, global studies, and the arts set them apart, while close faculty student connections ensure every child is known and supported. The following profiles showcase opportunities that prepare students to thrive—no matter where they begin their journey.
Cairn Educational Consulting
From seventh-graders considering boarding school to seniors sorting out ED2 decisions, Cairn supports students with strategy, self-discovery and a welcome drop in household stress levels. READ the full story here…
Litchfield Montessori School
The school unveils its brand-new playground, with a ribbon cutting ceremony during the festivities. The playground is more than just a place for children to play; it represents the school’s commitment to fostering independence, physical development, and joyful discovery for children from toddlerhood through sixth grade. READ the full story here…
Marvelwood School
With highly personalized academics and a supportive environment, Marvelwood empowers young people to become resilient, mindful, and confident learners prepared to meet the challenges of higher education, the workplace, and an ever-changing world. READ the full story here…
Rumsey Hall School
Situated on a 300-plus acre campus in Washington Depot, Rumsey is known for its whole-child approach to education—balancing academic rigor with character development. READ the full story here…
Forman School
Forman School, founded in 1930, is an independent, coeducational college preparatory school for students in grades 9–12 and postgraduates with learning differences such as ADHD and dyslexia. READ the full story here…
Arch Bridge School
Rooted in a belief in each student’s inherent worth and potential, the school serves emotionally challenged youth by nurturing their inner strengths and fostering lasting personal and academic growth. READ the full story here…
Westover School
With a mission to empower students to lead lives of consequence, Westover blends tradition with innovation, from pioneering one of the nation’s first high school STEM programs to offering distinctive global learning opportunities. READ the full story here…
Hollister House Garden in Washington offers autumn beauty, festive events, and expert talks for garden lovers.
Celebrate Fall at Hollister House Garden
Nestled in the Litchfield Hills, Hollister House Garden in Washington is an American interpretation of a classic English garden, surrounding a historic 1770 homestead. With its series of intimate “garden rooms,” stone walls, and meandering paths, it is a place where structure meets seasonal abundance. As autumn arrives, the garden glows with dahlias, grasses, and late-blooming perennials, setting the stage for a season of celebration and learning.
Autumn kicks off with Hollister House Garden’s Garden Party on Saturday, September 6, from 4 to 7 pm. Gather with friends and neighbors to support the garden while enjoying cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and music by John Mastroianni and Friends. Bid on an extraordinary silent auction and take home spectacular plants from Broken Arrow Nursery and Cricket Hill Garden. All proceeds from this evening provide critical funding for Hollister House Garden’s educational programming and community engagement initiatives.
The season continues with the Barn Talks series. On September 13, Yuki Kaneko, senior horticulture manager at New York City’s iconic High Line, presents Editing the Garden: Advice from the High Line, offering expert strategies for creating a thriving four-season garden. Then, on October 11, celebrated potter and floral designer Frances Palmer shares Life with Flowers: Inspiration and Lessons from the Garden, blending art, horticulture, and design.
This fall, Hollister House Garden promises inspiration, beauty, and community for every garden lover. —hollisterhousegarden.org
Waterbury Symphony Orchestra opens its 87th season with Masterworks, Holiday Pops, Candlelight Concerts, and flexible subscriptions.
Classical music lovers who fre-quent Carnegie Hall may soonfind themselves enchanted closerto home. The Waterbury Symphony Orchestra (WSO) opens its 87th sea-son riding a wave of artistic acclaim and audience growth, with over 60 percent of patrons from Litchfield County. Under Maestro Leif Bjaland and energized by dynamic new leadership, WSO is one of New England’s best-kept musical secrets. The season begins with Mozart’s exquisite Gran Partita on September 14 in Litchfield, followed by full orchestra drama with Tchaikovsky and a Twist of Fate on October 5 at the 800-seat Fine Arts Center. From stirring Master Works and festive Holiday Pops to chamber gems in Litchfield and performances at Newtown’s historic Edmond Town Hall,WSO’s three series offer something for every music lover. New this season is the Candlelight Concert, featuring the string quartet performing music by The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and Queen. Flex subscriptions allow patrons to choose three or more concerts for savings and waived fees. Expect brilliance and passion.
Hogpen Hill Farms in Woodbury marks 20 years with nearly 100 sculptures, open meadows, wooded trails, and seasonal visits.
This fall, Hogpen Hill Farms in Woodbury is marking a milestone: its 20th anniversary. For two decades, the sculpture park created by artist and data visualization pioneer Edward “ET” Tufte has quietly evolved into one of the most interesting cultural destinations in the area.
Spread across open meadows, rolling hills, and wooded trails, the park is a place of discovery as much as it is of art. Visitors meander along paths that lead to awe-inspiring works—nearly 100 sculptures in all—ranging from lacy stone walls and silent megaliths to gleaming stainless steel creations that seem to catch every flicker of light. Together, they form a landscape that feels both otherworldly and simultaneously connected to nature.
Among the most striking are Rocket Science 3: Airstream Interplanetary Explorer, a stainless steel sculpture measuring 84 feet long and rising more than 30 feet high, and Celestial Dancer with Calipers and her DNA, a piece that merges science, movement, and myth. Inside the studio gallery, visitors find a more intimate side of Tufte’s work, including prints, Feynman diagrams, and books on data visualization—an extension of the artist’s lifelong exploration of how humans interpret and communicate information.
Michele McDonald of The Boston Globe once described the park as “wild, whimsical, grand, incredibly beautiful,” while Lonely Planet declared it “magical, a joy.” Part of the park’s magic is the time it takes to experience it fully. Guests are encouraged to plan for two to three hours, allowing the sculptures and scenery to unfold gradually. A picnic on the grounds is not only permitted but encouraged, and the trails invite lingering with friends or quiet solo wandering.
Hogpen Hill Farms is open nine weekends this season, from September 5 through November 2. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., with visitors asked to depart by 2:30 p.m. Admission is $72 per car (up to six occupants), $50 for a single driver, and $40 for Friday-only visits. Dogs are not permitted, but picnic baskets and walking shoes are encouraged.
More information and tickets can be found attufte.com or at the gate.
Mayflower Inn & Spa welcomes new chef Luke Dowdy, elevating Washington’s luxury dining with refined menus and standout dishes.
The Mayflower’s New Bloom Luke Dowdy is the luxury inn’s talented new chef
By Charles Dubow Photographs by Ryan Lavine
For many who frequent Litchfield County, the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington has a well-earned reputation as one of our most beautiful, not to mention luxurious, properties. Originally opened in 1920, it has become an institution of sorts, a place where for generations both locals and out-of-towners have come to celebrate milestone events; birthdays, weddings, graduations, engagements. But it is also a place where people can roll up to the cozy Tap Room to enjoy a casual meal and a cocktail for no reason at all.
This past summer the owners, Auberge Resorts Collection, brought in a talented new chef who has made dining at the Mayflower better than ever.
Luke Dowdy, 34, is a veteran of both the Thomas Keller Group and Jean-Georges. He also started as the chef of Keswick Hall, a luxury inn in Charlottesville, Va., which taught him about the particular demands associated with serving sophisticated clientele at a high-end hotel. Most recently, he was chef at The Parlour Room Bar and Grill in Midtown Manhattan.
“It was a great place to work, but then a recruiter reached out to me about the Mayflower, and it was too good an opportunity to pass up.” So he packed up his wife and young children, and moved to Litchfield County.
Originally from Virginia, Dowdy got his start cooking in his mother’s restaurant when he was 14, and eventually wound up in Myrtle Beach. “There was one place called Nacho Hippo,” he laughed. “It was a Tex-Mex place. We made all our food from scratch using the best locally sourced ingredients. We could have bought bulk guacamole but ours was so much better. It taught me never to cut corners.”
He also credits the rigor that he learned under Chef Keller. “Everything has to live up to a 3 Michelin Star standard. Make it the best you can. It doesn’t matter what you are cooking, it should all be made to the best of your ability.”
Since arriving at the Mayflower in July, he has already had a positive impact on the menu, which has been streamlined and simplified. One of his new dishes is a basil-infused oven-roasted Maine lobster entrée, served with avocado, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and sweet corn gazpacho. It was a unique and absolutely delicious spin on everyone’s favorite crustacean—fresh, light, and succulent.
Other highlights include the toothsome 12-ounce rib eye, with stewed peppers, tomatoes, and Tap Room butter; the grilled free-range chicken with toasted orzo, black garlic-eggplant purée, and baby zucchini; and the Raven & Boar Heritage Pork Chop (from Columbia County, New York), served with charred lemon, roasted fingerling potato salad, and chicories.
And, at the risk of sounding hopelessly pedestrian, his Mayflower Burger is a triumph. Loaded with American and cheddar cheese, lettuce, heirloom tomato, pickles, red onion, and his signature Tavern Sauce, it was one of the best I’ve ever eaten. Welcome Chef Luke, here’s to the Mayflower’s bright future!
Mayflower Inn & Spa, 118 Woodbury Road, Washington
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