The Maine Dish
Michele Ragussis, ‘Food Network Star’ Finalist, Hits Maine’s ‘Harvest On The Harbor’ In Portland
via The Huffington Post
Make no mistake: Michele Ragussis absolutely adores New England.
The Food Network favorite, who calls Brooklyn home, has only recently returned to New York after spending her first summer up in Maine, where she serves as a resident chef at The Pearl on the Pier in the popular seaside hamlet of Rockland. It’s an unseasonably warm, sunny October afternoon in the city, but Ragussis says she’s already counting down the days until her forthcoming Maine venture.
“It’s just one of those places that makes you feel good in your soul,” Ragussis says with a sigh. “Food Network Star” fans may recall that Ragussis, who served on Bobby Flay’s team on the hit show, emphasized New England cuisine throughout her tenure, and it’s clear her infectious enthusiasm for both the region and its food scene hasn’t faded since then: “There’s something about the cities and the towns up there…I’m pretty lucky to be able to go back and forth.”
YOU’RE SO RAIN
// About the Author
Erin Dow
Erin Dow is a caterer who used to cook for rock stars. Now she finds herself desperately trying to persuade her three kids to just try one bite of what she made for dinner. She's the Expert Chef for Maine-based Guiding Stars® and she consults with the state's public schools on how to serve healthy whole foods that kids will actually eat. And when Erin’s not researching, preparing, serving, photographing, teaching, or writing about food, you’ll probably find her in a restaurant eating a meal cooked by someone else. So she just might be the girl you need to know if you're looking for recommendations, advice, or insight into Maine's food scene. She's also very knowledgeable about firearms, in case you were wondering if she's a real Mainer.