About the Owners and Staff
The Cambridge Hotel is a family owned business. John and Tina bought the hotel in 2007 and work at the hotel with their children Shea and Abigail and many staff members who are as close as family. John's parents, Lou and Carol, are part owners who made a substantial monetary commitment in 2008 to ensure the Hotel would remain the vibrant center of Southern Washington County. As you will read below the Cambridge Hotel has an eclectic group of talented individuals on the team.
John: I grew up in Greenwich, graduating from Greenwich High School, received my BA from St. Lawrence University and my JD at George Washington. After school I was commissioned as a JAG Officer in the US Army. During my first assignment to Alaska I met and married Tina. We moved from Alaska to assignments in Germany, and Turkey before returning to Cambridge to raise our 3 children Shea, Tristan and Abigail. After living all over the world we decided there was no finer place to raise a family than Cambridge. I've run my law practice since 1992 and am currently a Col. in the Army Reserves with a duty as a Military Judge. When not working I really enjoy getting outdoors to run, bike, garden, or just take a walk with my wife.
Tina: I grew up all over the U.S. and Europe as an Army Brat. When I was 21 I joined the Army as an MP. I continued to move around the U.S. until I ended up in Alaska where I met John. After moving to Germany and Turkey we found our way to Cambridge and fell in love with the small town atmosphere. I worked for Weight Watchers for 8 years and ran Curves for 6 1/2 years.
The Hotel is a special place for me because it is the only place I remember from my first visit to the area in 1988.
I currently bartend at the hotel, help with events, do some office work and help with whatever needs to be done.
I love that I have my family nearby and that I get to work with them. I consider our staff my extended family.
Shea: I graduated from Cambridge Central School in 1999 and earned a BS from St. Lawrence University in 2003. After graduation I moved to Eugene Oregon where I lived life to the fullest. In 2008 my parents asked me to come back east to help manage the Hotel. I never thought Cambridge would be the place I ended up building my career and family, but I love it! I became a mother to a beautiful baby girl named Addison in September of 2010 and enjoy every minute I have with her. In my spare time I enjoy gardening, going for walks, and spending time with my family.
Abigail: I have been working at the Hotel for 3 years, starting as a busser and now working as a server. I will be working part-time while attending Crane School of Music beginning in the fall of 2011. My favorite menu item is Dessert! All of them!
Chef Rich: Lets Go..!! Perhaps my favorite saying in the Hotel, LOL..I’m surprised the staff hasn't stuffed me in the freezer by now. Although I do not take myself too seriously, I do take my food seriously. I graduated top 3 in my class from the Center for Culinary Arts in Cromwell Ct. and trained under some world class Chefs and mentors. After traveling the country for 10-12 years (who's counting when you love what you do) experiencing different cuisines and cooking my way from State to State, I have finally settled in beautiful Cambridge N.Y.
Currently my passions are Mediterranean inspired dishes and what I like to call “homestyle” food with a bit of flair. I have to thank my Mother & Grandma Ethel for taking the time to teach me their Cobbler, Hungarian Goulash, and Homemade Mac & Cheese recipes. Their inspiration is still reflected in my cooking to this day. Thanks has to go out to the Imhof’s (John & Tina) for letting me run with seasonal menu’s and giving me 100% creativity, we wouldn’t be here today without their vision and patience. Also to my partner Shea, perhaps my greatest critic and inspiration everyday, she is the mother of our beautiful baby girl Addison, and what I like to call my little hippie/foodie who has taught me about quinoa, granola, & everything organic. Let’s Go..!!
Brittany: I started working for the Cambridge Hotel in 2008 as a server while I was finishing up my BS in Biology at SUNY Albany. After graduation in 2009, I continued to work at the Hotel and with the help of the owners and Chef Rich I was able to raise enough money to volunteer at an orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania for 3 1/2 weeks in May and June of 2009. In 2010 I was promoted to Assistant General Manager and have been working very hard to keep the the Cambridge Hotel as an integral part of the Village of Cambridge. I am currently working on my second BS in Nursing, and will be graduating in May 2012. I was married in 2008 and currently live in Cambridge with my husband and my dog Apollo.
Sous Chef-Mike: I am originally from White Plains N.Y., where I first got a taste of great food. At 17 I moved north to the Adirondacks and became a mountain man, working in the outdoor education field, recreating whenever possible and developing friendships I still hold dear today. After years of travel, adventures, and numerous character building occupations I settled in Cambridge where my parents retired in the late 1980s.
I have worked at the Hotel since 2008, gaining more experience and responsibilities through the years. Everyday there is a potential for learning, thanks to the laid back, yet professional teaching style of Chef Rich.
Family, friends, music, good times and the constant quest for knowledge keeps me going through all the ups and downs.
Josh: I am currently enrolled in a culinary school, and enjoy video and board games. I am an expert marksman and big game hunter. My favorite menu item is Chicken &Waffles, sweet!
Bryana: I began working as a front desk receptionist in April 2011. I also work as a lead teacher in the one year old classroom at a childcare center in Vermont. I am a mother of 2 beautiful children, Owen and Gracianna. In my spare time I enjoy playing sports and am a big sports fan. I have a passion for horseback riding and photography. My favorite menu items are Abby's Albacore Tuna Melt and Decadent Banana Cake.
Donald: I enjoy cooking and I take karate lessons at Cambridge Valley Martial Arts. I recently graduated from Cambridge Central School and plan to go to college to expand my culinary experience. I live in Cambridge and really enjoy the people here. My favorite menu item is Dirty Wings.
