Chowder at the Red Barn

Line cooks working swiftly in a bustling kitchen environment

Augusta, the capital of Maine, has had a struggling economy since the decline of American manufacturing in the 1970s. One of the city’s bright spots, The Red Barn, a family-operated restaurant, has fed locals and visitors great seafood for nearly 40 years. Remarkably, it has also nurtured the community with its philanthropy, having raised over 2 million dollars for charitable causes, mostly for veterans and the elderly.

Picnic tables outside The Red Barn, Augusta, Maine — Outdoor dining at The Red Barn, Augusta, Maine *Photo credit: Eva Baughman*

Owner Laura Benedict and her kitchen crew couldn’t have been more accommodating as I prowled the kitchen looking for photo ops during their lunchtime rush. They graciously provided their beloved seafood stew recipe, as well.

photograph of a dinner order at The Red Barn — Order Up! *Photo credit: Eva Baughman*

About the author

Eva Baughman has loved studying and practicing photography since buying a second hand Nikkormat SLR when she was first out of college. Photography took a secondary role while she raised a family and worked as a pastry chef and as a recipe tester. When her nest emptied, her passion to create images was reignited. Now it’s with a Pentax DSLR, a Fujifilm X-T1 and in the digital darkroom. She especially enjoys travel and nature photography, has exhibited in New Hampshire, and has had her photos published by the New York Times for food-related stories.

Courtesy photo

Eva Baughman

Eva Baughman has worked as a mom, a pastry chef and a recipe tester. She enjoys travel and nature photography.

photography

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