Love of food, hospitality served up at Mack's in Quinebaug, Conn.

Looking back, Russell Mackowiak of Dudley realizes what big risks and investments he took to start several area businesses before opening Mack’s Catering Service & Restaurant in Quinebaug, Connecticut.

Mackowiak, admittedly a “self-taught cook,” began his food journey with a curiosity to learn, guided by hands-on experiences, mistakes and improvisation. He said his love for food came from his French grandmother (mémère), “an amazing woman and phenomenal true cook.”

Before entering the catering business, Mackowiak worked at Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut and owned Chet’s Smoke Shop in Webster from 1992 to 2006. For a while he ran Mack’s Place, a Vermont-themed country store and deli in Dudley, closing it as a result of the recession that occurred in the late 2000s. He has cooked at the Knights of Columbus hall in North Grosvenordale, Connecticut, and at a private school.

Mackowiak bought the former Churchill’s Catering in Sturbridge before he decided to lease and renovate the Quinebaug property that once housed Lido’s Italian Restaurant and Bar and several other small businesses. Mack’s at 773 Quinebaug Road is a casual restaurant that accommodates around 50. The newly added bar, designed by Mackowiak’s sister, seats 11.

The business has a loyal following, one of the reasons Mackowiak is looking for a larger place, considering the new location’s visibility, parking and accessibility. “Location can make or break you,” he said, “and a lot of thought has to go into a commercial kitchen layout for my catering services.”

Mackowiak was approached earlier this year by a Webster restaurateur who looked to lease his business, then changed his mind and wanted to sell instead. “The price was really high, way over a million, and I couldn’t afford it at the time,” said Mackowiak. “The kitchen also needed a huge upgrade.” Mackowiak now is in talks with another property owner about a new build-out. “I think going this route would be ideal for both the front and back of the house,” he said, “only time will tell. I can say that I’m really excited about the possibilities in 2024.”

Mack’s Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. Catering service for large and small parties; telephone (860) 497-0182. Connect on social media. Note: The business scores high catering marks on the Knot Wedding Planning Website. The restaurant is estimated to be a little more than 30 minutes from Worcester.

Mackowiak regularly grills and smokes meats, and takes pride in his barbecue and seafood specialties. The restaurant menu also includes specialty burgers, sandwiches, munchies and comfort food dinner options. The owner’s philosophy is to buy fresh, quality ingredients, season food properly and present a great plate at a reasonable price. “Excellence is our goal,” said Mackowiak. A chef with experience in professional kitchens on Federal Hill in Providence is a new hire at the restaurant.

Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mack’s offers seniors a special deal. Choose from three different dishes, each $12, including coffee or tea. “Comfort Tuesday” and “Wacky Wednesday” include special promotions. Prime rib is featured Thursday through Saturday, with other chef specials during the week.

Mack’s Food Truck is a great food concession for local community events and festivals. “We want to take the truck to local breweries, filling a void for craft breweries that don’t serve food,” said Mackowiak, who purchased the food truck this year. In the fall, he was among food vendors at the popular Roseland Cottage Festival in Woodstock, Connecticut.

“I’m really someone with a hands-on way of doing things,” said Mackowiak. “I love what I do and can work 65 to 90 hours. Sure, I’m in my late 50s and get tired, but I’m single and able to put in the time. It’s still not easy for food businesses to get good help.”

Mackowiak said he named his restaurant after his late father, who passed at 91. His parents were married 72 years, he said. His mother is 95.

In conversation, Mackowiak casually mentioned that his first cousin is noted chef Larry Forgione, hailed as “the godfather” of America cuisine. Forgione is known for his work at the An American Place restaurant in New York City, changing the way Americans eat today by using only seasonal, local ingredients, beginning the “farm-to-table” movement. Forgione’s son, Marc Forgione, also is a New York restaurateur and competes on Food Network’s "Iron Chef America."

Mackowiak represents a family with a love of food and hospitality.

Santa Pub Crawl Dec. 16 on Shrewsbury Street

The annual holiday-themed “Shrewsbury Street Santa Pub Crawl” is scheduled for Dec. 16. Cost is $20 per person, with a 2:30 p.m. check-in at Vintage Grille, 346 Shrewsbury St., Worcester. Advance tickets can be purchased using the link on Pulse Magazine’s Facebook page. Event participants are encouraged to wear festive holiday attire.

A beer ticket to the crawl includes food tastings at these Shrewsbury Street businesses: Vintage Grille; Redemption Rock Brewing Company, 333 Shrewsbury St.; Flying Rhino Café, 278 Shrewsbury St.; Funky Murphy's Bar & Grill, 305 Shrewsbury St.; Mexicali Cantina Grill, 225 Shrewsbury St.; La Scala Ristorante, 183 Shrewsbury St.; Meze Estiatorio, 166 Shrewsbury St.; Wormtown Brewery, 72 Shrewsbury St.; Victory Bar and Cigar, 56 Shrewsbury St.; The Pint, 58 Shrewsbury St.; Leo’s Ristorante, 11 Turo Way; Ralph’s Tavern, 117 Shrewsbury St.; Pepe’s Italian Restaurant, 179 Shrewsbury St.; 4th & 1 Sports Club, 7 Muskeego St. (right off Shrewsbury Street).

The Shrewsbury Street Santa Pub Crawl is presented by Pulse Magazine, CM Pride, Cantiani Insurance Agency, Enterprise Cleaning and Restoration Corporation and Deep Eddy Vodka.

‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry!

Beechwood Hotel Santa Brunch Dec. 16

The Beechwood Hotel in Worcester has scheduled its annual Santa Brunch for Dec. 16, with seating from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The menu includes breakfast, salad and appetizer and seafood selections, in addition to food stations (omelet, waffle, carving, hot food, desserts). Also, a children’s station where guests will find a variety of kid favorites, including Mac n’ Cheese, Chicken Fingers, French Fries, Cereal, Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Sauce and Holiday Cookies.

Cost: Adults, $75 per person; children, 6 to 12, $25; Children under age 6, free. FYI: Event includes photos with Santa Claus and a gift for each child from Santa.

To reserve, call hotel representative at (508) 453-1113, or for more information, the Beechwood Hotel, (508) 754-5789.

Holiday Beer Tasting at Yankee Spirits

Yankee Spirits in Sturbridge will hold a “Mini Grand Holiday Beer Tasting” from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 9. Festivities will include a lineup of 30 plus beers.

A complimentary Stella Artois glass engraving will be available, while supplies last. Call the store, (508) 399-5860, for more event information.

If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Russell Mackowiak Mack’s Catering Service & Restaurant in Quinebaug