Familiar Hartford County Chef New Exec At Town & County Club

HARTFORD, CT — A chef with deep Connecticut roots who has been a familiar sight in Hartford County kitchens has been appointed executive chef at the Town & County Club.

The appointment of Chef Niles Talbot was announced Monday, effective Nov. 22.

Chef Niles began his culinary education in high school at the Oliver Wolcott Technical School in Torrington. He completed the majority of his training on the job, including four years as sous chef at Kess Café in Plantsville, followed by four years as executive chef at Matthews in the Unionville section of Farmington, two years as chef de cuisine under executive Chef Ryan Jones at Mill @2t in Tariffville, and most recently eight years as sous chef at Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern in Simsbury under executive chef Tyler Anderson.

Chef Niles was "raised in the kitchen" by a family who had culinary creativity at its core. When asked what he loved best about cooking he said, "It’s my art. It's the way I show people I care." He loves creating dishes with fresh ingredients, and he is energized by "leaning in" to the special needs of his dining customers.

Chef Niles said of the new opportunity, "I'm excited to start a new chapter with The Town & County Club, where we can turn something great into something truly special. The idea of being involved in the evolution of the club is exciting to me. I feel you can eat anywhere, but when the staff makes you feel welcome and the member is accommodated to the highest standards, that's where it turns a dinner into an experience."

Club Manager George Arnold said he had more than 35 "very qualified" applicants for the position.

"Ultimately we selected Chef Niles based on his extensive, proven experience and his fit with the club and our values."

Susan Barnes, President of the Town & County’s Board of Directors, further elaborated by saying, "We are thrilled to appoint an executive chef of Chef Niles' caliber and creativity. The dining experience offered to Town & County Club members is one of the important benefits of club membership and I’m confident that Chef Niles will be able to take this benefit to the next level for our members and their guests."

The Town & County Club was founded in 1925, five years after women were granted the right to vote. It was established as Hartford's first private women's city club focused on advancing the interests of women and promoting science, literature and art. It is located at the grand 1895 Theodore Lyman house at 22 Woodland St., just around the corner from the Mark Twain House.