Harvest on the Harbor

Home
United States
Portland, ME
Harvest on the Harbor

Directions Website Contact the restaurant

Since 2007, we’ve brought together chefs, distillers, brewers, farmers, and makers to showcase the flavors that make Maine delicious.

Oct 16-17, 2026 Events: Maine Lobster Chef of the Year | OysterFest | harvestontheharbor.com HarvestontheHarbor.com | Portland, Maine's Annual Fall Food & Drink Celebration. We are all about celebrating our local food and drink culture in Maine - and showcasing what we do to those from away. Under new ownership since 2016. Thanks to our founding partners at Portland.

10/13/2026

Introducing two chefs competing at the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year for the first time:
Chef Lucie Beau from Taj Indian Cuisine
Chef Nick Kimball from Brix + Brine

🦞 Lucie came to work at Taj from Belleville, and is the chef and head baker at the new(ish) Cobblestone By Taj.

🦞 Nick recently earned both the People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice awards at the Ogunquit Lobster Bite Challenge!

This year there are 6 chefs competing for the first time 💕

10/12/2026

Come say hi to Hannah Ryder from Twelve at the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition this Friday!

She grew up in Cumberland
Her parents met while studying culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University
Her first restaurant job was working the salad station at the Muddy Rudder in Yarmouth
After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Hannah cooked at NYC's Café Boulud and Aquavit
She was part of Twelve’s opening team in July 2022 and promoted to Executive Chef in 2025

We're excited to have her back at the competition!

10/09/2026

Meet Chef Ryan Hickman, co-owner of The Knotted Apron in Portland. He started his career as a young dishwasher and worked as a line cook at restaurants throughout New England before moving to Portland to train under Chef Larry Matthews Jr. of Back Bay Grill, eventually becoming the Sous Chef.

Ryan learned the importance of scratch cooking and quality local ingredients, two pillars that became the backbone of his cooking style. His passion for simple, well executed and seasonal food is fully expressed in his first role as Chef-Owner, where he continues to make his dreams come true one plate at a time.

10/08/2026

This is Jose Ochoa, Executive Chef at Natalie's, Camden Harbour Inn. He's competing at the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year on October 16 for the first time but we know he knows his way around lobster, Natalie's always has a lobster tasting menu as a dinner option!

Jose shared, "When I was a kid I used to help my mother picking herbs, fruits and vegetables from our garden at home. I watched her transforming the ingredients in simple, but tasty dishes. Somehow she understood to celebrate the flavor and texture of the ingredients without compromising a delicious evening meal. I started her helping cooking and at age 14 I took the opportunity to work at a local Italian deli and fell in love with the creativity, high energy and the technical aspects of preparing the perfect flavor combination, texture and temperature and most of all the compliments of guests enjoying what you had worked on, sometimes for days."

He studied at the French Culinary Institute in NY and made the decision to join Natalie's because "it was impossible to refuse the opportunity to work in a state I love so much, with access to some of the best seafood, foresters and farms and to be able to balance my career with an active lifestyle and be inspired by the seasons, and the close access to nature."

10/06/2026

Two days, two events and a whole lot of fun. Maybe a little dancing with the oyster farmers too 💕

Make your plans today to join us October 16 and 17 at Harvest on the Harbor's Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition and Maine Oysterfest!

10/04/2026

This is Nick Dalaimo from Central Provisions, and he's returning to this year's Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition. Loyal fans of the competition probably remember his award-winning dumpling from 2022; it's going to be exciting to see how he tops that dish!

A few things to know about Nick:
🦞He grew up in southern California and started his culinary adventure at a mom and pop takeout joint in Venice Beach
🦞His passion for cooking led him to Maine 12 years ago
🦞He is the chef de cuisine and partner at Central Provisions
🦞His favorite thing about being in Maine is the opportunity to express the change in seasons through the dishes he creates

Come to the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year to cheer on the chefs, taste the dishes and vote for your favorite while the judges also pick theirs!

10/03/2026

Looking forward to sharing some of that Austin Street Brewery 💕 at Harvest on the Harbor!

10/02/2026

You know it's a good party when:

🦪 You see a roomful of friendly oyster farmers waiting to share their oysters with you
🦪 You've got a great DJ
🦪 You are sipping on b**r - or maybe a cocktail - or wait, maybe a coffee drink
🦪 All of the above!

See you at the Maine OysterFest, Saturday, October 17! Get your tickets today 🎟

10/01/2026

Meet our judges' panel for the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year:

Tim Cebula has been a food writer and editor for more than two decades. He was most recently senior editor at Cooking Light magazine, where he worked for 13 years. His work has appeared in Time, Health, Food & W**e, CNN.com, the Boston Globe and Boston magazine, among other publications. He is also a former James Beard Award judge for both the chef/restaurant and journalism programs.

Chef Jose Garces is an Iron Chef, James Beard Award–winning chef, and one of the nation’s leading culinary voices in Spanish and Latin American cuisine. Known for his innovative approach, deep cultural roots, and unwavering commitment to hospitality, he has built a career that blends artistry, tradition, and a passion for bringing people together through food. His work is rooted in culture, guided by craft, and shaped by a belief that cooking is one of the most powerful ways to bring people together. Whether in a restaurant, a studio kitchen, or at home, Chef Garces creates food that tells a story and invites connection.

John Hathaway, founder of Shuck's Maine Lobster and winner of first prize for best new seafood product in the world at the International Seafood Show in Brussels. Johnny introduced new technology to the lobster industry with what was referred to as the "Big M***a Shucker”. Johnny is the owner of Johnny Shucks Maine Lobster Shack in OOB.

09/30/2026

Say hello to Sam Helmke from Sur Lie! Sam is one of the 10 chefs competing for top honors in this year's Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition on Friday, October 17.

A little bit about Sam:
- Born and raised in South Portland
- Committed to cooking with locally and ethically sourced ingredients, creating diverse, seasonal menus inspired by a range of cultures
- Dedicated to maintaining a healthy work-life balance for his team, reducing - burnout, and fostering a culture rooted in tolerance, compassion, and understanding
- Cooking is his passion and service is in his blood

We're looking forward to see what he prepares for the competition!

🦞🎟 https://harvestontheharbor.com/

Address

Portland, ME

Website

http://www.harvestontheharbor.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Harvest on the Harbor posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Restaurant

Send a message to Harvest on the Harbor:

Want your restaurant to be the top-listed restaurant in Portland?