Two young boys had dreams...

Chef/Owner James Neunzig has a combination of twenty-five years of culinary experience and a deep respect for customer service and hospitality. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, James moved to Connecticut, cooking at The Mayflower Inn in Washington and the West Street Grill in Litchfield. After receiving a Hotel & Restaurant Management Degree in Pennsylvania, Chef Neunzig moved back to Connecticut and ran the Bistro Café in New Milford before opening his own restaurant in Kent.

Restaurant Moosilauke rose to quick acclaim receiving an "Excellent" rating from The New York Times, a Three Star Rating from Connecticut Magazine, voted "best new restaurant" in Litchfield County, and was featured in The Litchfield County Times and The Morning News. He sold his interest in the restaurant's third year to focus on off-premise catering launching J.P. Gifford Catering & Events. As business grew, he looked for a location to spotlight prepared foods and takeaway catering while maintaining his off-premise, full-service, catering business.

 

Kent resident Michael Moriarty, Co-Owner, has has over 16 years of culinary, service and retail experience, working at local upscale restaurants and catering venues including The Candlewood Inn, The Waterview and Restaurant Moosilauke. In 2006, Mike became a store manager for a local IGA grocery store and his interest in prepared food and specialty grocery grew. Mike is committed to obtaining the finest specialty products, meats and cheeses from around the world while providing support to an expanding deli and catering business.

...and their dreams were realized when, by combining skills and talent, James and Mike opened J.P. Gifford Market & Catering Company in the spring of 2010.