The owners of Natalie’s Restaurant and Camden Harbour Inn are pleased to announce the addition of Kenneth Hynes to Natalie’s culinary team. Awarded one of OpenTable Diner’s Choice Top 100 Best Restaurants in America, Natalie's uniquely blends a current sense of place and time with modern techniques and the bounty of Maine. The addition of Ken adds another dimension to this modern take on New England cuisine.

“Ken has an intriguing mix of culinary skills that will allow him to make an immediate impact at Natalie’s,” owner Raymond Brunyanszki said. “We look forward to watching him grow and thrive with us.”

Ken comes to Natalie’s with 13 years of experience in restaurants from Asheville, North Carolina, to Kenai, Alaska. As part of his seven-year tenure in Napa Valley, Ken was the Chef de Partie at acclaimed restaurant La Toque. He also spent time as a full-animal butcher, developing a dozen salumi offerings. At James Beard nominated Rhubarb, a hyper local restaurant in Asheville, Ken found a passion for food preservation. His expansive skillset will allow him to make an immediate impact for the restaurant team, and for all who dine there.

Ken grew up in a restaurant family in New Jersey, but looked to settle in Maine thanks in part to wife Maxine, who grew up in Cape Neddick — and now lives in Rockport. He said he looks forward to being a part of Natalie’s, both as a leader and in partnering with Executive Chef Shelby Stevens.

“My goals are to find a home where I can have longevity and grow along with the people around me. I am excited for an opportunity to showcase my skills to their full potential,” Ken said.

Natalie’s spring menu (attached), features foraged fiddleheads, Maine scallops with farm fresh asparagus, and a Moroccan lamb preparation.

About Camden Harbour Inn and Natalie’s: 
The nationally acclaimed Camden Harbour Inn is a member of Relais & Chateaux. The property consistently receives praise from publications such as Travel + Leisure, Departures, Black Card Magazine and others for its world-class service, amenities, and unparalleled views. Camden Harbour Inn was ranked No. 10 on the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards list of Top Inns and Small Lodges in the Continental U.S., as well as Top 100 Best Hotels in The World Overall, No. 19 Boutique Inn worldwide, and the 7th Coziest Place to stay — all by the readers of Travel and Leisure Magazine. Camden Harbour Inn is also named a Top 100 Hotel by Condé Nast Traveler, and was recommended as the place to stay in Maine by The New York Times, Boston Globe, and the Wall Street Journal. Camden Harbour Inn and Natalie's has received Four Diamonds from AAA for nine consecutive years since 2008.

Natalie’s has been called the finest gourmet eatery in Maine and was recently honored as one of OpenTable Diner’s Choice Top 100 Best Restaurants in America. Improper Bostonian wrote that Natalie’s has the “most innovative lobster tasting menu in Maine.” Eater Maine named Natalie’s one of 18 Essential Restaurants in Maine, and the restaurant was identified as one of the Best Meals by two Maine-based food writers, Joe Ricchio and Nancy Heiser. Natalie’s earned 4 ½ stars from the Maine Sunday Telegram, which called the “dining experience flawless and the food magnificent.”

Natalie’s is redefining modern, fine dining in Maine. Diners will savor a menu which celebrates an entirely fresh approach to the very best ingredients. Executive Chef Shelby Stevens seeks out the harvest of Maine fishing boats, farms, and gardens and transform these honest, unsullied ingredients into distinctively new presentations reflecting modern fine dining cuisine while showcasing Maine’s bounty.

The restaurant places an emphasis on Maine seafood and offers a five-course Lobster Tasting menu, a threecourse prix fixe menu and a Chef’s Tasting menu. The Wine Spectator-honored wine list features more than 250 specialty wines.

The restaurant is currently open six evenings a week, excluding Tuesday; it will open 7-days a week in July and August. Reservations are recommended and may be made through OpenTable or by calling (207) 236-7008. To make a reservation at the Camden Harbour Inn, call (207) 236-4200.

The Inn and the restaurant are located at 83 Bayview St. in Camden, Maine.

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