OUR Story

For more than 20 years, Del and Karoline have called southern Vermont their home away from home. They spent countless ski weekends, summer vacations, and holidays here with their three daughters, creating lifelong memories while also developing a deep appreciation for the people and charm that southern Vermont brings.

As love moved on and their daughters moved out to start their next chapters, Karoline and Del quickly realized Vermont wasn’t just a place to visit anymore, rather it was where they wanted to put down roots for their next chapter. 

One of the first restaurants they discovered was The Fat Crow. From their very first visit, they fell in love with its welcoming atmosphere, incredible food, and the sense of community that made it so much more than just a local restaurant. It was a gathering place where neighbors, visitors, and friends came together.

As they became regulars, dining at The Fat Crow several nights a week, they developed close friendships with the previous owner Kenny and his wife Denise, and the wonderful staff who made the restaurant so special. When Kenny began considering retirement, he and Del spent the next year thoughtfully planning a transition that would preserve everything people loved about The Fat Crow. During that time, Del and Karoline immersed themselves in learning every aspect of the business.

Their backgrounds made this opportunity a natural fit. Karoline worked in restaurants while putting herself through college, gaining firsthand experience in hospitality and customer service. Del has extensive leadership and operational experience, including overseeing food, beverage, and operations as a member of a yacht club’s board of directors.

Knowing that exceptional food is at the heart of every great restaurant, they wanted partners with outstanding culinary expertise.

That search ended unexpectedly when Del met Rich Mamay while sitting at the bar of The Fat Crow. A friendship quickly formed, and Del soon learned about Rich’s wife, Laurie, whose decades of culinary and food management experience and career as a private chef serving clients throughout the Hamptons made her an ideal partner. Rich also brings years of leadership and public service experience as a retired police sergeant, ex-chief of the Ambulance Association, chairman of the Nature Preserve Committee and they both routinely volunteer and participate in local charities and interest groups within their community. They too fell in love with Vermont from the very first visit while vacationing with their four children and continued to enjoy this beautiful area for 13 yrs. in their home in Jamaica.

Together, Del, Karoline, Rich, and Laurie share one vision: to honor Kenny’s legacy while continuing to make The Fat Crow a place where great food, genuine hospitality, and community come together.

Whether you’re a longtime local, a seasonal resident, or just passing through Vermont, we’re excited to welcome you. Our commitment is simple: preserve everything that has made The Fat Crow special while continuing to create memorable experiences for every guest who walks through our doors.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

- Del, Karoline, Rich, and Laurie