We started Rustica in 2006 to offer the best Italian and Mediterranean food in Midcoast Maine. We do pizza, pasta and a variety of meat and vegetable dishes, all prepared to order from the freshest ingredients.
Chef/Owner John Stowe
Chef John Stowe
John Stowe is a self-taught chef with a world of experience in the restaurant business. He grew up in Connecticut and at sixteen began his restaurant career bussing tables at a local inn. He learned quickly and was soon doing prep shifts in addition to bussing. Eventually he would go on to wait tables and bartend priming him for the years to come. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising from Central Connecticut State College and managed the start-up of three Italian restaurants in the Hartford area. During this time, he continued to learn hands-on about food, wine and the restaurant business. He traveled throughout Europe and developed his love for Italian cuisine.
In 1998, he followed his family to mid-coast Maine and after working in many of the local restaurants John was in need of a change of scenery. His step mother mentioned an add she saw for a chef aboard a 115 ft three masted luxury Schooner sailing the Penobscot Bay during the summer, spending the shoulder seasons in Annapolis and wintering in the Caribbean. Being from a sailing family and always up for a good adventure He signed up, hopped aboard the Kathryn B. and the stories are still being told today.
Once back on land, John thought it high time he saw a bit of his own country and spent the next four months driving cross-country attempting to hike all of the national parks in America. His travels landed him in San Francisco where he worked for two years in many of the eclectic restaurants on the West Coast. He returned to Maine in 2001, where he continued to work locally. In 2006, he was presented with the option to buy his own restaurant on Main Street in Rockland, and Rustica, Inc. was Born. 2006 was a busy year for John and his wife, Catie Wilson. They opened a restaurant bought a house and had their first child. John now has two beautiful girls Lily and Hannah and is looking for His next adventure !!!
