Culinary Entrepreneurs Launch Farm-to-Table Business in Maine

News Summary

Melissa Smith and Monte Harhouri have purchased a Colonial Revival-Style Home in Norway, Maine, where they will establish a farm-to-table events business. The couple aims to blend their culinary passion with nature by offering memorable culinary events and wellness retreats. After extensive property searches, they fell in love with their new home, which offers ample space for their innovative concept. This exciting new venture promises to add value to the local community and create a unique culinary destination in the heart of Maine.

NORWAY, MAINE – A Dream Comes True for Culinary Entrepreneurs!

In a charming turn of events, a couple with a big culinary dream has just purchased a stunning Colonial Revival-Style Home in Norway, Maine! Melissa Smith and Monte Harhouri are set to launch their very own farm-to-table events business, and they couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of blending their passion for food with the beauty of nature.

From Hospitality to Horticulture

Melissa and Monte’s love story began back in 2016 when they crossed paths as coworkers at the renowned Hakkasan in San Francisco. Fast forward to 2017, and they tied the knot! After a rocky road with the pandemic, forcing the closure of their workplace, Melissa pivoted to focus on her wine appraisal business while Monte dabbled in gardening and woodworking. As two creative souls, they realized it was the perfect time to bring their dreams to life – a business that combines Monte’s background in import entrepreneurship with Melissa’s culinary magic.

A Vision of Culinary Bliss

The couple’s business idea? To create memorable culinary events and rejuvenating wellness retreats, possibly featuring a cozy glamping experience. Sounds dreamy, right? However, they had a challenge to tackle – launching this venture in California raised concerns about potential natural disasters like wildfires. The couple explored properties in southern Oregon and Washington State before ultimately deciding to focus on the Northeast region of the U.S., where Melissa honed her culinary skills at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.

Searching High and Low for the Perfect Property

With a dream in mind, Melissa and Monte embarked on an extensive property search. Armed with a wishlist that included at least 10 acres, a picturesque water feature like a pond or stream, and a rustic working barn, they scoured listings and contacted real estate agents. Their budget was about $650,000 with the possibility of stretching it to $750,000 for a move-in ready property. They looked at all sorts of unique options, including an old abandoned bank in Rhode Island and 40 undeveloped acres in Shaftsbury, Vermont.

Ultimately, they narrowed their options down to three stand-out properties that had their hearts skipping a beat:

• Colonial Revival-Style Home in Norway, Maine: Priced at $749,000, this gorgeous five-bedroom, two-bath home sits on 13.3 acres and is adorned with serene streams and a charming two-story carriage house. This location is just 35 miles from the scenic Sebago Lake, perfectly positioning the couple for their culinary concept with a spot for glamping.
• 1832 Brick House in Pittsford, Vermont: Listed at $669,000, it features a main four-bedroom house on four acres, a $renovation-challenged barn, and space for short-term rentals. But, without a picturesque water feature, it fell short compared to their other options.
• Inn Near Saratoga Springs, New York: At the appealing price of $350,000, this property needs some serious renovations. Set on 12 acres, it offers an abandoned inn with a commercial kitchen and a sweet pond, located just outside of the vibrant Saratoga Springs.

A Heartfelt Decision

After weighing their options, the couple fell in love with the Colonial Revival-Style Home in Norway, Maine. With plenty of space to host their culinary events and the opportunity for future growth, they knew they had struck gold. As they begin this new chapter, Melissa and Monte are poised to create a delightful culinary destination where locals and visitors can gather, feast, and relax in a picturesque setting.

So, keep your eyes peeled, Norway! A tantalizing new adventure is just around the corner, and it’s brewing in the heart of Maine! Stay tuned for updates as Melissa and Monte transform their dream into reality.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• New York Times: Home Sale Insights
• Lancaster Farming: New York Farm Show Highlights
• Hudson Valley Magazine: New Year’s Eve Events
• Wikipedia: Farm-to-Table
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Farm-to-Table