The owner of the new downtown store, Darien Butcher Shop, grew up in town, went on to study the culinary arts, work in New York restaurants and has come back to town with an appreciation for fresh, quality food.
Image from Darien Butcher Shop website
Darien Butcher Shop has opened its doors at 13 Grove St. According to its website, Crawford aims to provide “the highest quality regionally sourced and ethically raised meats, exotic meats, gourmet side dishes, and a thoughtfully curated selection of specialty product.”
The store is open seven days a week — if you want to check it out this weekend, the hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday.
Here’s what the Darien Chamber of Commerce had to say about the new store and its owner in a recent news release:
Peter Crawford was born and raised in Darien. He participated in sports and graduated from Darien High School in 1995.
Growing up, Peter’s experiences with his grandmother’s cooking had a lasting impact on him.
Inspired by her rustic meals and the family cattle farm, Peter developed an appreciation for scratch cooking and quality produce.
Peter worked at restaurants from an early age, attended the New England Culinary Institute (NECI) in Burlington, Vt., where he graduated with advanced placement.
After culinary school, Peter moved on to work with some of the greatest chefs of our time: Charlie Palmer, Jean-Georges, Neil Gallagher and Terrence Brennen.
Darien Butcher shop, owned by Darien native and accomplished Chef Peter Crawford, recently opened on Grove Street.
Peter was then torn from the kitchens of New York by the opportunity to work on motor yachts where he worked privately, rubbing elbows with celebrities from Mike Tyson to Wayne Huizenga and Rusty Wallace.
When Peter returned to New York he took management positions at acclaimed restaurants: Bouley, Caravaggio and The Oak Room.
Since New York, Peter has overseen the opening of three restaurants and is now trying to take all of his experience back to Darien and serve the fine people of the community extraordinary meat.
Peter resides in Old Greenwich and is married to his lovely bride Courtenay Crawford.
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The Darien Butcher Shop