Ben Sutter, Executive Chef, Settlers Inn, Hawley, Pennsylvania

“It just feels better eating natural food” says Ben Sutter, Executive Chef of the Settlers Inn in Hawley, PA.

Years ago, however, Ben’s motives might not have been so genuine when he started in the restaurant business in his teens.  “I started washing dishes because I needed money”, he says of his first job at the Inn at New Berlin near his hometown of Lewisburg, PA.  Ben’s attitude would soon change while working at the Inn.  Under the tutelage of Scott Brouse, who he lists as a major influence, Ben’s appreciation of food and the restaurant business blossomed.

After working with Chef Scott, Ben made his way west to Southern California.  “I had been living there in my mind for awhile, so I figured I’d better just go.”  While west, Ben’s career escalated rapidly; working at such spots as Sycamore Inn, Montage Resort, and the prestigious Hotel Bel Air.  “This is when I really learned creativity”, says Ben, “there were some mornings we would just come in and write the menu for that evening.”  Ben eventually earned the position of Executive Sous Chef at the Palm restaurant.  Even with the grueling schedule required for this type of career advancement, Ben found time to meet his future wife, a native of Southern California named Rebecca.

An opportunity became available “back east” at The Settlers Inn, “a beautifully restored arts and crafts lodge” set in the heart of the Pocono’s Lakes Region.  Ben found himself in charge of his own kitchen, working with owners Grant and Jeanne Genzlinger.  Grant and Jeanne had established relationships with local farms and also shared many of the theories Ben had developed on food.  While Ben’s menu boasts many farm-to-table and sustainable dishes, as a Chef he knows the food needs to speak for itself.  “We are using the best methods combined with the best ingredients”, because after all, “taste is what counts.”  Chef Ben is pushing the limits of “farm-to-table” cuisine by utilizing methods like sous-vide to produce spectacular and innovative dishes.

Ben resides with his wife and two children, Brock and Dagny.  While his responsibilities of father and chef do not leave much time for leisure, he does enjoy reading (especially Thomas Keller) and the occasional chess match with Rebecca.  Even with this schedule, Ben is finding time to prepare for his certification through the Culinary Institute of America.

The Settlers Inn | 4 Main Avenue, Hawley, PA 18428 | thesettlersinn.com