HOURS
Mon thru Wed 7am-7pm
Thurs thru Sat 7am-9:30pm
No reservations needed
CONTACT US
978-212-3585
info@saltboxfarmconcord.com
SALTBOX FARM
Located on a picturesque 10-acre property in historic Concord, MA, Saltbox Farm is a working farm and home to The Little House, a unique farm-based cooking school. Built in the 1940s, Saltbox Farm was owned by Chef Ben Elliott’s grandparents until 2004, when he and his wife Julia moved to the farm to continue the family tradition, raise their own young family and to restore the farm. Today, we grow a wide variety of vegetables, raise sheep, keep chickens for eggs, bees for honey, and have recently planted a small orchard that includes apples, peaches, pears and cherries. Learn more about the range of what is grown on the farm.
Through The Little House, Saltbox Farm’s cooking school led by Chef Aran Goldstein, we offer a unique opportunity for home cooks and food enthusiasts to get hands-on instruction to learn new techniques and recipes that they can use at home. During the growing season, our menus feature ingredients from the garden. Recent classes have included Whole Pig Butchery, World Cuisines: Andalusia, Spain, Seafood Cookery, Pasta Making and Ramen. Class offerings change monthly and offer a variety of topics to appeal to even the most experienced home cook.
Visit our Saltbox Farm website for more information.
brewery
Opened in July 2016, Saltbox Kitchen Brewery, led by head brewer Ralph Fiegel, is Concord's only brewery and features a rotating seasonal selection of beers featuring hops and flavorings including fruit and aromatics all grown at Saltbox Farm. Ralph has developed recipes using carefully-sourced ingredients brewed in small batches to celebrate farm fresh, clean flavors. The beers will only be available at Saltbox Kitchen, either on draft or in 32-ounce growlers to go.
On Tap Thurs Sept 22nd
Saltbox Prophecy Farmhouse Ale (6.1% ABV)
Color: Golden Straw
Aroma: Banana Bread
Taste: Black Pepper, Citrus Saison
Top Bracket IPA (5.9% ABV)
Color: Hazy Pale Yellow
Aroma: Malty Lemon
Taste: Juicy Tropical Fruit-Slight Hop Finish
Emerald Prophet Pale Ale (5.7% ABV)
Color: Caramel Orange
Aroma: Malty Pine Hop
Taste: Toasted Bread, Resin-y Hops
*NEW* Jean's Highland Chief Dry Irish Stout (4.7% ABV)
Color: Black
Aroma: Dry-roasted Caramel
Taste: Chocolate, Coffee, Malt
Weddings & celebrations
Built by Chef Ben's grandparents in the 1940s, Saltbox Farm is the main source of inspiration for how we cook and think about food. During the growing season, our vegetables, herbs, flowers, lamb, eggs and honey come straight from the farm onto your guests' plates. We offer full-service catering for all types of events, from weddings to passed hors d’oeuvres cocktail parties (both large and small), multi-course plated dinner parties, corporate events, private cooking classes and even pig roasts.
High-quality ingredients, attention to detail and a wide range of personalized services translate into a unique and unforgettable celebration created just for you.
We offer:
- seasonal menu design
- wine pairings & craft cocktails
- day of event coordination
- floral, decor, & tablescape design
- valued relationships with local & likeminded partners
We also can host your private event in the fields at Saltbox Farm, a truly unique setting to celebrate with friends and family.
Please contact Megan Hawkes, our Events Manager, at 978-610-6020 or megan@saltboxfarmconcord.com and let us help you create a beautiful and memorable occasion.
Our Clients are Saying...
“First class attention to detail, friendly courteous manners and high ethical standards are key components of the Saltbox business and team.”
- Cynthia, Acton, MA
“We wanted a hybrid meal to reflect our respective backgrounds and our desire to have a rustic, unique experience. This proved too difficult for traditional caterers. When we met Ben, however, not only did he get what we were going for, he elevated our concept above and beyond our expectations, conceiving of a truly one-of-a-kind menu that reflected the best of what we wanted while maximizing the use of his farm-produced goods.”
-2014 Wedding Client
“Hiring Saltbox was one of the best decisions we made in planning our wedding. If you’re looking for a caterer in the Boston area (or anywhere in New England), you couldn’t do better.”
- David, Cambridge, MA
The Team
Ben Elliott, Chef/Farmer
As Chef, Farmer and Owner of Saltbox Farm, Ben oversees all elements of the farm-to-table journey – playing an active daily role in planting, harvesting, preparing and serving their cuisine.
Prior to Saltbox Farm, Ben's 20 year career includes time spent at La Folie and the Fifth Floor under Chef Laurant Gras in San Francisco and the famed Locke-Ober in Boston. His most recent restaurant post was with chef Barbara Lynch in Boston as Chef de Cuisine at No.9 Park, opening Lynch’s demonstration kitchen Stir, and launching Lynch’s catering company 9 at Home as Chef de Cuisine. In addition to fine dining, Ben also worked with some of the area’s most well-known gourmet shops, Hi-Rise Bakery and Formaggio Kitchen, which influences the quality of the prepared foods at Saltbox Kitchen.
A native of Wayland, MA, Ben has called Saltbox Farm and Concord, MA home since 2004. Before moving to the farm, Ben spent summers tending to it alongside his grandparents, the original owners. Ben attended Hartwick College in New York, where he met his wife Julia. He and Julia have 2 children, Sam and Maggie.
Aran Goldstein, Head Chef
As Head Chef, Aran puts his international culinary training to work overseeing food operations for Saltbox Kitchen, creating and teaching cooking classes and helping to develop menus for Saltbox Farm catering. Aran joined Saltbox Farm in 2013 and has helped develop bothThe Little House cooking school and Saltbox Farm’s rapidly expanding catering business.
In his first kitchen role, Aran helped open Clink under Chef Joseph Margate at the Liberty Hotel in Boston, where he quickly rose to the position of Sous Chef. An avid international traveler, Aran then pursued stages in three Michelin Star restaurants in Italy: Agrodolce in Imperia Oneglia, Liguria, as well as Piccolo Principe and Ristorante Romano, both in Viareggio, Tuscany. Impressed by Aran’s skill and creativity in Italy, he was invited to southern China as a culinary consultant for the opening of an Italian restaurant in the resort town of Sanya. Returning back to the United States, Aran discovered his love of teaching cooking at Sur La Table’s flagship Manhattan location, where he quickly built a private client base both as a chef and instructor.
Originally from Worcester, MA, Aran is a graduate of New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, VT. He also holds a Bachelor degree in Sociology, with a minor in Spanish from Northeastern University. Off the farm and out of the kitchen, Aran plays tennis with his wife Karolina and dreams of their next travel adventure together.
Ralph Fiegel, Operations Manager & Head Brewer
As Operations Manager and Head Brewer for Saltbox Kitchen, Ralph helps ensure smooth processes for the restaurant and catering operations. A member of the Saltbox team since 2012, Ralph has been instrumental in building up the farm infrastructure, while growing the catering business and assisting with the cooking school at Saltbox Farm, including teaching beer-making classes and beginning Saltbox's brewing operations. Most recently, Ralph has led the establishment of Saltbox Kitchen’s craft brewery, utilizing ingredients grown at Saltbox Farm.
Ralph’s culinary career began under world-class chefs Odette Fada in New York City and Dan Smith in the Berkshires, leading him to Chef Barbara Lynch, where he spent nine years working his way up from line cook to back-of-house controller for all Barbara Lynch restaurants. It was through Lynch’s No. 9 Park that he met Ben Elliott.
Born and raised in Pittsfield, MA, Ralph is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and an avid fisherman in his free time. He and his wife Nikki live in Grafton, MA.
Emily LeSuer, Catering Chef
An invaluable member of the Saltbox Catering team, Emily joined Saltbox Farm in 2013 after receiving her degree with high honors from Le Cordon Bleu in Cambridge, MA.
At Saltbox Farm, Emily’s love for the idea of growing your own food and caring for animals has been reaffirmed. When not preparing food for events, you might find her with her “girls” in the chicken coop or harvesting crops in the field. She is also excited to be able to translate her background in business operations and leadership to the kitchen.
Emily grew up just down the road from Concord in Hudson, MA in a large family where sitting down to dinner was not just about food, but also about sharing and being present in the moment. One could say that her inspiration to become a chef came from her father (a chef himself) or even the food on her plate, but the driving force that ignited such passion was how food can bring people together. Laughter, conversation, and the memories created at the table with family and friends have been, and continue to be, one of the most important aspects of her life.
Emily currently lives in Brighton with her husband Jim and their dog Kaiah.
history of 84 commonwealth avenue
What is now 84 Commonwealth Avenue was known as the Association Hall building, originally built in 1893 and burned in September, 1903.
When the building was rebuilt, the first floor housed the Rexall Store run by C. Hayden Whitney. On the second floor were offices, and the Association Hall, which according to residents, was “a mainstay on the social life for the West Concord community”. Movies, dances and minstrel shows were held in the Hall. On the third floor was the Odd Fellows Hall, which was used for all the local fraternal organizations. An original cell door used when men at the Odd Fellows Hall had imbibed too much still remains in the modern 84 Commonwealth Building. The building served as the center of West Concord’s social and community activity.
We hope that with the opening of Saltbox Kitchen, the building will yet again become a center of activity in West Concord.
partners
careers
Want to join a dynamic, fun and creative team? We currently have the following positions open:
2 Full-time Cooks
Please email resume and cover letter to Chef Aran Goldstein at arangoldstein@gmail.com
gift cards
Please click here to purchase an eGift card for use at Saltbox Kitchen.
You can also purchase gift cards at Saltbox Kitchen.