Maine Cuisine - Steve Corry - 555 Congress Street Restaurant

A Best Chef Finds a Place in the Maine Culinary Scene

When Steve Corry and his wife first came to Maine about ten years ago, they thought they detected early signs "of something that would blossom into a major culinary scene," he says. "But what's happened is almost unbelievable—not just at restaurants, but with the farmers and the farmers' markets, the cheese makers, so many more. The whole thing is growing into something better than you'd find even in Boston."

He's thrilled to be part of it all and honored to have been named a "Best New Chef in the U.S." in 2007 by the prestigious Food & Wine Magazine.

Originally from Hingham, Mass., Corry got his start in the food world by washing dishes and cleaning lettuce at restaurants on Boston's South Shore. He began his professional life as a beer maker and came to Portland with plans to open a brewpub nearby. But a stint at the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont led him to set his sights on "creative cuisine—something on the cutting edge but still approachable."
555 Offers Creative Cuisine with New England Flavor

After working at Domain Chandon in Napa, Calif., as well as Grisini's and the White Barn Inn in Maine, he and his wife decided in 2003 to open their own restaurant, 555 Congress Street. Corry describes his cooking style there as "new New England—local products, familiar ingredients but with a new twist."

He's especially proud of his snails braised in chorizo butter with green garlic, and his pickled beech mushrooms in a chive-flecked puff pastry. "I've been shocked by how well they went over," he says.

"What's happening in Maine is not just a trend or a fad. It's a movement with deep roots. It's staggering, really."

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• Steve
• Corry
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• Congress
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• Chef

[JarodSt1]

I have walked by your restaurant for about 2 and a half years now. It seems like a lot of nice people go and eat there. I hope the best for your restaurant.

[roach420nh]

Funny I talked to steve and told him that I would be his dishwasher just so I can learn from his pastry chef. ( im learning to become one and trying to get the experience)

[sromano82]

Hell yeah, Steve and Michelle!!! (I used to wash dishes at 555)

~ Seth

[iownnwo]

that man is simon pegg in disgize!