New Kitchen Cravings owner proud of those who work with her

BY ROGER AMSDEN, LACONIA DAILY SUN

GILFORD — Lucie Wu-Scigliano, the new owner of Kitchen Cravings, says she enjoys operating a restaurant because it allows her to merge her two passions: people and food.

“I’m lucky to be here and part of such an incredible team,” said Wu-Scigliano. Once she learned that the popular award-winning restaurant was on the market, she jumped on the opportunity, with support from her husband, Manny, and their six children.

This is the first restaurant for Wu-Scigliano, who had a career in the dental field in Connecticut.

She and her family were introduced to the Lakes Region when she and her husband registered for the Timberman Triathlon. The entire family is very familiar with the Lakes Region in both the summer and winter.

“My children have skied for years at Gunstock and we all love Lake Winnipesaukee in the summer,” she said.

Lucie and Manny find themselves, along with their children, yearning to spend more and more time in New Hampshire each year. Purchasing the restaurant just seemed like a natural transition, that encouraged the family to accomplish this desire.

She bought the restaurant, which is located next to the Laconia Airport on the former airport access road off from Route 11, in May. Wu-Scigliano has changed little on the menu since that time, choosing to stick with the popular breakfast favorites, which won the Best Breakfast in New Hampshire award from New Hampshire magazine earlier this year.

Many of the same staff whom have helped make it a destination point for both locals and out-of-state visitors are still working there, helping create the friendly atmosphere which the entire Kitchen Cravings family cherishes.

“They work as a team and they stepped up to meet the challenge of having a new owner. I want people to feel like they’re guests in my home and treat them like friends and family.”

Wu-Scigliano is grateful to the staff, whom she says are the real stars of the restaurant. She is looking to honor each one of them in the months ahead by holding fundraisers in which each staff member will choose the charities and service organizations receiving the money.

“Being a part of the community is very important to me. Using as many locally produced foods as we can and giving back to Gilford and the surrounding communities is a goal. We’re already getting our coffee from Woodshed Coffee Roasters and our maple products from Sunnyside in Loudon.”

She said she enjoys meeting the customers and is always open to suggestions from them for dishes they would like to see on the menu.

The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features from scratch recipes from breakfast favorites like made to order Belgian waffles with fresh fruit, French omelets and huevos rancheros to classic sandwiches and burgers, and bakery specialties such as the cinnamon bun and giant gourmet cookies.

“Come for the food and once you meet our staff, you’ll return for the people,” she said.

Wu-Scigliano would like to thank the locals and the patrons that travel from afar to welcome her and her family with such a warm reception. The entire Kitchen Cravings family would like to thank everyone for being so patient and encouraging and making the transition so smooth.

Staff of the Kitchen Cravings includes, from left, Mike Bryerton, Darren Cartier, Danielle St. Onge, Tyler Hobbs, Angela Bossey, Manny Scigliano, Lucie Wu-Scigliano and Nick Tucker.  Not pictured are Johnna Davis, Julia Davis, Cynthia Miles, Shannon Bullock and AnneMarie Gosselin. (Roger Amsden photo)Staff of the Kitchen Cravings includes, from left, Mike Bryerton, Darren Cartier, Danielle St. Onge, Tyler Hobbs, Angela Bossey, Manny Scigliano, Lucie Wu-Scigliano and Nick Tucker. (Roger Amsden/Laconia Daily Sun)