Guest Chefs at Gather55

A World of Flavor, Rooted Locally.

Chef Ryan began his journey in hospitality after graduating from Penn State University with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management. He launched his career in front-of-house management, including roles at the prestigious Willard InterContinental Washington. Despite his success in hospitality operations, his passion for cooking continually drew him toward the kitchen.

That passion led him to enroll at the French Culinary Institute in New York City before joining Quality Branded. There, he worked at acclaimed restaurants including Quality Meats and Park Avenue Seasonal, rising from intern to Chef de Cuisine while building a strong culinary foundation.

His career then took an exciting turn with the openings of Union Fare in Union Square and Gitano Garden of Love in SoHo. These ventures sparked five years of travel between New York City and Tulum, where Chef Ryan immersed himself in the culture and cuisine of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Working with regional ingredients and traditional techniques broadened his culinary perspective and deepened his appreciation for global flavors and traditions.

Chef Ryan’s professional journey has taken him to more than twenty countries, where he has collaborated with talented chefs and explored a wide range of culinary styles. Following the birth of his first son, Asher, he and his wife, Bonnie, chose to put down roots in West Hartford in search of a quieter pace of life and more room for their dog, Brisket. He later joined DORO Restaurant Group as Executive Chef of Avert Brasserie.

Now living in Wethersfield as a family of five with the recent addition of their second son, Beau, Chef Ryan is excited to share his diverse culinary background, global influences, and passion for hospitality with the local community.