Chers amis,

It’s been a while since I last wrote…

Many of you have been aware that Tourterelle has been on the market for sale for a couple of years now, and many of you have shown much compassion, interest, and, at times, concerns about Tourterelle’s future.

I can’t say that the past few years have been easy … with a tragic pandemic that very much jeopardized the dining and events scene, followed by a devastating fire, a complete remodeling and as things were finally looking up … a divorce.

I do like to remind my kids at all times that life is full of ups and downs, and the downs make us appreciate the ups, and a life full of ups would frankly be extremely boring! Who wants boring?

Bill & I came from Brooklyn, New York, where we left the very intense life of running two restaurants. Eventually, we decided to open Tourterelle in July of 2009. Our family was welcomed by all of you kind people, an amazing community that very much made us feel at home. We raised our three beautiful children in a perfect and peaceful Vermont environment. We worked very hard, served many dinners, hosted hundreds of weddings (on and off premises), jammed to some barbecue outdoor live music, catered a dinner for Joe Biden, had Neil Young walk in for dinner unexpectedly, worked hand in hand with Middlebury College for years, and so much more…

We tried to improve the business a little more each year. We most certainly couldn’t do it alone… We were lucky to hire a professional kitchen and front of the house staff, and a flexible catering crew who carried us for years and helped us create a business with plenty of heart & soul. 16 years (with the covid / fire interruption) in this business is a long run in this particular industry and we are so proud of what Tourterelle has become. We learned to juggle with the slower snowy nights and the madness of the Middlebury College weekends.

This restaurant life isn’t easy, it requires a certain fire inside that includes the love of service and chaos. I have LOVED running this establishment and gave it my best for years. The decision to sell Tourterelle was a hard one to make and we could only hope that the person(s) buying it would cherish our vision and continue the community involvement we worked so hard to build. I am very excited to announce that we have found these people or maybe more this young couple found us!

I have been working with Shelby for the past two-and-a-half months and have introduced her to many of you. Shelby comes with little restaurant experience, just like me when I started 30 years ago. She is a hard worker, has impeccable social skills and happens to have exactly what you need to run Tourterelle . While I haven’t worked as much with Austin, the few times he came to help with weddings, his charisma and initiative in helping totally impressed me. They are a great team together and I am certain they will do great things at Tourterelle.

Here is a little more about Shelby and Austin as the new owners…

Shelby and Austin met in the summer of 2018 while working at Camp Walt Whitman in New Hampshire, where they quickly discovered a shared passion for working together and serving others. After their time in Winooski, they spent six years in Colorado, where Shelby worked as a camp director while also supporting adaptive recreation programs at a local nonprofit. Austin worked as a property manager for a luxury construction company. They married at a summer camp in Vermont, a place that had already rooted itself deeply in their lives. Inspired by that experience, they realized how much they wanted to help create memorable celebrations for others.

Vermont kept calling them back, and they knew they wanted to return to the community they loved and missed. They’re thrilled to be here, grateful for the warm welcome, and honored to be part of the wonderful team at Tourterelle. Shelby and Austin can’t wait to meet you, share meals, and celebrate the moments—big and small—that bring people together.

So here we are! We closed on the sale November 21 and thrilled to be passing on the torch to this amazing couple! The business keeps on going and will be in great hands. And…I get to stick around, help Shelby & Austin for a year.

Many of you have asked me what’s next?

I don’t have a real plan other than maybe have a little more flexibility to visit my loved ones in France, South Carolina, New York, Montreal  they are all over the place but Vermont has my heart and will always be my home. I’ll be around and plan on being at Tourterelle as long as I am needed and our entire crew is staying!

Special Acknowledgments to our amazing Chef Tom Morris who has been running our kitchen , working hand in hand with me for more than 8 years. He’s one of the most committed and talented Chef I’ve ever worked with. He gives his heart and soul to the business and none of it would exist without him.

My support system …

My kids, Kamille, Juliette & Jacques – My mom, family & friends.

My VT family – Ammy Martinez and Tara Case who have worked with me for years and keep on lifting me up through the ups & downs.

My friend & personal therapist – the amazing artist  Anne Cady whose show is still up and brightening our beautiful dining room.

Our kick-ass front of house ladies who teach me something every day, Genevieve, Christa, Kira & Kaela

The outstanding kitchen crew, Sous Chef Andreas whose calm and professional attitude balances perfectly the kitchen chaos, JJ, Anthony , Garrison and Leah who is always ready to jump in to help.

Not to forget, the very committed Michaela and the amazing wedding & catering crew .

Last but not least, our dear friend Erin McCormick who took on the listing with Steve Foster from Keller Williams and made this connection happen with Shelby and Austin. Erin opened Tourterelle with us 16 years ago when she was a young driven Middlebury College student, she designed our website, did a bunch of marketing for us … When the fire happened in 2020, she was the one who set up the GoFundMe to help us rebuild. Erin has been with us through thick and thin and it’s a real symbolic full circle moment having her transition us with the new owners. We are so extremely grateful for all her support, sense of humor, grace and patience through the process.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy holiday season and thanking you all for years of support, kindness and generosity.

I love this community so much, and I am so honored I had the chance to serve you all for so long. And if you haven’t yet, come meet Tourterelle’s new owners, Shelby & Austin. Great things will be happening at Tourterelle in the years to come, I am very sure of it!

Love & gratitude,

Christine