CT Wine & Food Festival » 2011

Chef Ryan Jones

- Chef Ryan Jones's details
- Chef Ryan Jones's presentations
  - Friday, Nov. 18th - Mind, Body & Spirit Physicians Award Dinner
Executive Chef / Owner

Ryan Jones is a non-traditional chef – a “leader in the kitchen” might be a more appropriate job title. His straight forward thought process: that local, seasonal and sustainably sourced ingredients are more satisfying and that these simple ingredients form the most significant part of what makes great food great. The way he combines simple flavors and ingredients is not only courageous but also delightful.

Ryan began is culinary journey at the Silo restaurant in Farmington. He then dabbled for years in the catering world, working for Omar’s and Lucas and Company. He then met his wife Kelleanne at Pintore Catering, which they owned together for 8 years. In 2008 they sold Pintore Catering and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada for a very short corporate stint. There he worked as Executive Sous Chef for Kim Canteenwalla and Elizabeth at the new Wynn property, Encore. He was a General in the kitchen managing over 50 cooks while producing 1800+ meals a day. It was shortly after relocating to Las Vegas that Ryan and Kelleanne decided to head back to New England to raise their four children and begin a new venture together. Four months later the mill at 2t was open. Ryan and his wife wanted their guests to feel as though they were eating dinner in their home. They are involved in everyone’s dining experience at 2t.

Ryan’s unpretentious attitude and uncomplicated technique makes you travel through a tunnel that opens up to the “perfect” dish. –Ryan’s definition of a perfect dish: is more that the experience was perfect and the great food was just a bonus! He is a true innovator and inspiration to other chefs and food lovers in Connecticut.

His menu changes every day at 2t and his wide-open kitchen has created a buzz in the area. Home cooks and seasoned chefs sit at the stools that look into the kitchen and gaze like a kid in a candy store as they taste nibbles and treats from the chefs. When they ask what his favorite dish is to prepare; he says, “The one I’m preparing today.”

Ryan grew up in Avon, Connecticut, and now lives in Wethersfield, Connecticut with his wife Kelleanne and their children: Zoe 11, Kobe 6, Trae 5, Ayla 4. His career highlights to date were having dinner with Jacque Pepin and his wife last year in New Haven, opening Encore at Wynn Las Vegas with Kim Canteenwalla and Elizabeth Blau, sipping wine in Little Compton Rhode Island with Robert and Maria Sinskey of Sinskey Vineyards, Napa California. His interests include the Yankees, reading cookbooks, golfing, eating Mexican food and mostly, hanging out with his kids.