Posted on: May 25, 2021
Show Notes
Air Date: 5/25/2021
In this episode, Jordan Rowan and Jesse Souza from Front & Main join Nancy to talk about growing a network through local food. Jordan and Jesse explain how their commitment to using local suppliers has led to fine dining backed by outstanding locally grown or produced ingredients. Located in the Lockwood Hotel in Waterville, Jesse describes the Maine spin on classic dishes and Jordan talks more about the equally creative beverage offerings and hotel opening.
3:14 – Jordan talks about Front & Main, Colby College’s revitalization of downtown Waterville and their vision for the future.
5:04 – Jesse describes the menu and growing a network through local food.
7:49 – Jordan explains Front & Main’s partnership with the Colby Museum of Art and the artwork in the restaurant.
10:43 – After opening in March, Jordan shares their plans for the summer.
12:31 – Jordan talks about the beverage offerings at Front & Main that use local spirits.
18:23 – Jesse explains how the kid’s menu is set up and some of the offerings.
22:20 – Jordan describes the Lockwood Hotel.
23:58 – Jordan talks about the events space.
25:03 – Jesse and Jordan share some of their favorite resources.
Quote
We’re excited to give people that opportunity to enjoy themselves, cut loose a little bit and enjoy some of the finer things.” – Jordan Rowan, general manager at Front & Main and the Lockwood Hotel
Links:
Norlands Living History Center
The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg
Lessons in Excellence from Charlie Trotter by Paul Clarke
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About the guests:
Jordan Rowan joined Front & Main and the Lockwood Hotel with 10 years of experience in food and beverage and room operations across multiple properties in the seaside beach community of Cape May, New Jersey. A graduate of Lehigh University, his most recent position was General Manager at the Virginia Hotel, a Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award top-ten property in the Mid-Atlantic region for the past seven years. Jordan is passionate about food, craft beer, and travel, and when he isn’t working, he likes to spend his free time with his wife, Gabriela and their 2-year-old daughter, Lilo, reading storybooks, making animals out of Play-Doh, and building pillow forts. Jordan is thrilled to be leading the opening team at the Lockwood Hotel and is excited to welcome guests to downtown Waterville.
A New England native, Jesse Souza returned to Maine to join the Lockwood Hotel and Front & Main restaurant after spending the better part of three decades cooking in all four corners of the United States. This journey began as a teen working on the Maine coast, washing dishes and making salads, and quickly led to a cross-country relocation to the San Francisco Bay Area. This was the beginning of a newfound passion for both Regional American Cuisine as well as the culture and camaraderie of a life in hospitality. Jesse eventually joined Noble House Hotels & Resorts and would spend fourteen years with them as executive chef at multiple properties, from Florida to Southern California and ultimately the Pacific Northwest, spending the last six years at the Edgewater Hotel in Seattle, Washington.
During a brief relocation back to Maine in 2005, Jesse met his wife-to-be, Shannon, and quite effectively fooled her into saying yes and rambling around this country on a Great Adventure. Together they spend free time with their young daughter, Georgina, and a small (yet unreasonable) zoo of pets. His passions include writing, drawing, cooking, and family.
Looking to connect:
Chef Jesse’s Instagram: @chefjsouza
Lockwood Hotel
Email: info@lockwood-hotel.com
Phone: 207-660-0120
Instagram: @lockwoodhotelwaterville
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lockwoodhotelwaterville/
Front & Main
Email: info@frontandmainwatervile.com
Phone: 207-660-0130
Instagram: @frontandmainwaterville
