Sam Hayward

“People that live in Maine tend to be incredibly generous and have a strong communitarian spirit. When there’s a need, and people find out about a need, they have no problem rallying for a cause. I think we also love being in beautiful places… what’s better than a Maine summer? It’s just the sweetest experience anyone can have.”

In 1996 Sam Hayward opened Fore Street Grill, a brick building on the fringes of Portland’s Old Port district. Hayward received a coveted James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northeast. He has also been named Best Chef by Casco Bay Weekly. He has been featured in Atlantic Monthly, Saveur, Food Arts, Wine Spectator, and The New York Times, and Gourmet Magazine has rated Fore Street Grill 16th out of 50 Best American Restaurants.