Guest Chefs at Gather55
Each month, Gather55 welcomes a guest chef to craft a limited-run dinner menu that reflects their story and culinary point of view. Your reservation helps power our daytime community café and Hands On Hartford’s food access programs, thank you for dining with purpose.
Chefs Vinnie Carbone & Matt Ambrose
Vinnie Carbone & Matt Ambrose
Vinnie Carbone – Chef & Owner, Carbone’s Hospitality
Vinnie Carbone is the third-generation chef and owner of Carbone’s Hospitality, the family-owned group behind some of Connecticut’s most beloved Italian restaurants, including Carbone’s Kitchen in Bloomfield and Carbone’s Prime in Rocky Hill. He represents nearly a century-long culinary legacy that began when his grandfather and great-uncle opened Carbone’s Ristorante in Hartford in 1938. Under Vinnie’s leadership, the brand has maintained its reputation for classic Italian cuisine and hospitality, earning accolades from regional publications and recognition from food organizations like the James Beard Society. Vinnie also champions community engagement through fundraising events and partnerships with local nonprofits.
Matthew Ambrose – Executive Chef & Partner
Matthew Ambrose serves as Executive Chef and Partner within the Carbone’s Hospitality group, where he plays a key culinary leadership role across multiple concepts, including Carbone’s Kitchen and Carbone’s Prime. In these roles he helps shape menus and kitchen operations alongside the broader leadership team. He will also be recognized as head chef at Carbone’s Hartford when it opens this spring, bringing his expertise in Italian cooking and kitchen management to the reopening of Carbone's Hartford flagship.
Featured Dishes:
- Housemade Buttermilk Ricotta w/ honey, toasted pine nuts, & crostini
- Slow-Braised Sunday Sauce with Beef & Pork w/ red wine tomato sauce, fresh pappardelle, citrus gremolata, & ricotta salata
- Panettone Bread Pudding w/ Caramel sauce, & vanilla gelato
Recently Featured
Chef Ashley Flagg
Chef Ashley is a Connecticut native who throughout her career has had the privilege of working at several renowned establishments, and is thrilled to be using all her career long lessons in her own restaurant in West Hartford, Connecticut.
A passionate advocate for New England's rich agriculture, Chef Ashley takes pride in incorporating local, seasonal ingredients into her globally inspired menu at The Laurel.
Chef Terry Walters
Author of Nourish Plant-Based Recipes to Feed Body Mind Soul
Chef Carlos Perez
Originally studying in Manhattan under some of New York’s top chefs, Chef Perez spent the last few years working around CT before finding a home in Litchfield. His approach to cooking can be described as sustainable farm-to-table, paired with a modern influence along with an extensive background in pastry.
Upcoming Guest Chefs
March 2026
Omar Soriano is a chef at Máncora Restobar in Hartford, CT.
April 2026
Louise Albin and Don Fritz of Café Louise Catering will be Gather55's April guest chefs..