Comfort Food: Maine’s ‘Quarantine Kitchen’ Celebrates 5th Year

“It’s a little island of calm in a pretty tumultuous world.”

That’s how Chef Brian Ross describes the Quarantine Kitchen community, which came together 5 years ago this week, during a pandemic, and found comfort in food and each other.

“At that time we were under Covid restrictions and things were pretty isolated. I was under treatment at the time and I wasn’t getting out at all. And it just seemed the best way to reach out and connect with the rest of the world, and ultimately that’s what we did.”

This was his very first post. And from there, well, it grew legs of its own.

“At first, I thought it was going to strictly be an outgoing type of thing. I was going to share information that I have and maybe work with a few other chefs. But ultimately it turned into exactly the opposite. Everybody started sharing their recipes with us and that’s where the family developed and the culture of the kitchen; people sharing and complimenting and oohing and ahhing.”

The group has grown over these 5 years to include over 10-thousand members from all over the globe.

Local barista, Liz Leavitt has been following Quarantine Kitchen since its early days, and posts regularly.

“I originally joined quarantine kitchen because I love to cook, and I love the idea of using what you have on hand in the kitchen. My mom always made amazing home-cooked dinners using what was in season or in the cupboard. When Brian posted on Facebook about wanting to start a ‘quarantine kitchen,’ I felt compelled to join in! It was amazing to see people come together from all over the world and all walks of life to share their cooking ideas, pictures, recipes, and questions.”

Folks like retired public school teacher/herbalist and local entrepreneur, Pat Conant, have found inspiration in the posts as well.

“Since Quarantine Kitchen has been a real reason for me to check Facebook every single day, I can honestly say that we DO follow some of the contributors with passion as well as com-passion. Who knew I would rub elbows with professional chefs, enthusiastic foodies, novice cooks, and closet bakers/chefs of all ages… right within the confines of my own community of trailer dwellers! It’s this group that gave me the courage to finally act upon my “someday” desire to share food from my home. July 2021 found me licensed and ready to begin offering breads, cookies, brittles, caramels and other delights to the general public…keeping me and my hubby with blindness happily engaged in the kitchen up to three days every week! “

“The folks on the Quarantine Kitchen group have been benefitted by each others’ support and encouragement, worldwide! What a boon they were to all of us during the virus. A true COMMUNITY!”

Mona Li, who lived in Maine from 2013 to 2019, and moved just before the pandemic hit, was turned on to the page by a friend who knew she liked to cook. She’s enjoyed not only the food but feeling connected to Maine, once again.

“I joined because I was cooking so much during the pandemic lockdown, and it was nice to be able to share meals with others in the same exact situations and how others used what we had in our pantries and what was available in stores at the time to make great meals. The group continues to stay positive and support one another through food! Food is such a great common denominator. Who doesn’t like to see what others are cooking?”

“Used to live in Bangor and miss it there and Maine very much! Fantastic this site still going strong and will for years to come! Cheers to all! Thanks for the positivity in a world of negativity.”

Chef Ross says he thinks it’s the page’s lack of drama that has kept it going for such a long time.

“There’s no back and forth, no controversy at all. The biggest thing it might come down to is ‘Why’d you use red onions instead of white onions?’”

Ross says over the years, he’s definitely learned a new trick or two from those who have contributed.

“If we put it together in a cookbook, it’d be pretty big.”

He says he even gets recognized now, every once in a while. Folks yell out “You’re the Quarantine Kitchen guy!”

“It’s the same story every time. People are thanking me and they just love the community we’ve established.”

“I’d like to see it grow, as it has. It’s wonderful. We’ve developed a community, people from all over the world, in multiple countries and it’s just nice to see the family interact.”

Quarantine Kitchen has become a testament to the power that both good food and camaraderie hold in helping us get through even the toughest of times. When we share both of those things, they help build strong, beautiful communities.