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 Rustic Food is prepared at our state of the art kitchen facility in Clifton, NJ. All of our food, including all of our desserts and baked goods, are freshly prepared for your event. We avoid pre-fabricated and processed items. Rustic Food grows our own greens, herbs & vegetables in season in our on-site organic garden.
Elaine Rust
President/Executive Chef
Elaine has been cooking professionally since 1983. She has held back-of-the-house positions at The Griswold Inn in Essex, CT, The Dock at Saybrook Point in Old Saybrook, CT and The Gelston House in East Haddam, CT.
She served as Sous Chef at The Sovereign in Branford, CT under Chef Mark Baker and became Executive Chef at Hot Tomato’s in New Haven in 1986. During her tenure, Hot Tomato’s was judged “Very Good” by the New York Times Connecticut edition and was voted “Best Italian Restaurant” by the New Haven Advocate Reader’s Choice Poll in 1987 and 1988.
Elaine has held numerous restaurant executive and kitchen management positions, including banquet coordination and production, at Patzo in New York City, Madison Square Bistro in Hoboken, Arthur’s Landing in Weehawken and Tomato’s in San Diego, California. She catered for private clients while working in financial services until the inauguration of Rustic Food in 2001.
Kathleen McDonough
Chef de Cuisine
A former restaurateur in Montclair NJ, Kathleen started her culinary career at the open grill of a restaurant. After completing studies at the Culinary Institute of America and other culinary schools, she continued her education, graduating with honors from Montclair State University. At her restaurant, Kathleen perfected the house specialty dessert and launched the banquet and off premise catering divisions of the restaurant. Kathleen further honed her hospitality skills managing dining rooms and kitchens throughout the New York area. Working with Kevin Lee Allen Design, an EMMY award winning firm, she has worked on events for General Motors, Toyota, NASDAQ and others. When she’s not in front of a stove or on the phone, Kathleen keeps her energy level high with a dedicated yoga practice.
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