Chef Christopher Albrecht—who opened the acclaimed Eno Terra in Kingston and more recently served as executive chef of the revived Park & Orchard in East Rutherford—is the new executive chef at the Ryland Inn, 115 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse Station (908-534-4011). He replaces executive chef Craig Polignano, who is now working with Elements in Princeton executive chef Scott Anderson to open a restaurant at the King Of Prussia mall in Pennsylvania.
After graduating from the CIA in 1996, Albrecht studied under James Beard Award winners Claudia Fleming and Tom Colicchio. For more than 20 years, Albrecht honed his skills in celebrated restaurants in Manhattan (Gramercy Tavern and Craft), Washington D.C., Las Vegas and New Jersey, where he built a reputation as a leading advocate for healthy, flavorful recipes made from sustainably raised or grown local ingredients.
“Food and farming are inseparable” Albrecht said in a statement. “Farming is the source of the most basic building blocks of our bodies and is synonymous with flavor. The Ryland Inn is renowned for its dedication to fresh and healthy farm-to-table cuisine. I am thrilled to join such a wonderful team and look forward to continuing their story as a contributing voice.”
Albrecht, a resident of Princeton, a frequent lecturer on the farm-to-table ethos, is active in the Garden State on Your Plate youth program, in which he teaches children healthy eating habits with Jersey produce. As executive chef of the Ryland, Albrecht intends to use ingredients grown onsite to increase awareness that fresh-local-seasonal eating can be a great pleasure.
Chris, all the best of luck in Whitehouse Station, Jamie and I know everyone will be spoiled at The Ryland Inn <3