(June 13, 2022) – The Hamptons Kitchen & Catering opened June 1 at Rio Concho Retirement Communities, stepping in to feed the center’s residents and San Angelo public following the recent retirement of McGowen’s Catering.
Executive Chef Courtney Hampton, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, and Chef Jonathan Hairston, a U.S. Army veteran from Texas, are at the restaurant’s helm. The duo serves fresh, made-from-scratch homestyle cooking – fare for which Hampton has become locally known the past few years.
Hampton entered the restaurant industry at a young age, starting at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen in San Angelo; there he climbed the ranks from prep cook to culinary manager, a position that required him to oversee more than 30 employees. Hampton has since trained under James Beard Award-winning and Michelin Star chefs. Before starting The Hamptons Catering, Hampton was the owner/operator and chef at The Hamptons BBQ on North Chadbourne. He has since participated in The Culinary Competition benefiting the San Angelo Symphony, Paint Brush Alley Market Days, and San Angelo Chefs All-Star Dinner.
Hampton described his culinary style as coming from the heart. “Regardless of the cuisine that is being prepared, the love and passion is there,” he said. “All of the experiences in my career have led to this great opportunity. It is my goal to leave a legacy, just as my predecessors the McGowens did.”
Hairston graduated from the Art Institute of Austin. His extensive culinary experience includes serving as a pit master, chef of the River View Terrace in San Angelo, catering chef at Angelo State University and, most recently, the dietary manager at Sterling County Nursing Home. He previously partnered with Hampton at Paint Brush Alley Market Days and The Culinary Competition. The Hamptons Kitchen & Catering is located inside Rio Concho Manor’s Candlelit Dining Room, 401 Rio Concho Drive. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. daily, with the exception of Saturdays. The public is always welcome and are not required to have a Rio Concho resident present to dine.