Chef Jack Neal

The Chef’s Story

I started working in kitchens as a teenager and quickly discovered my passion for cooking. That passion led me to attend the Culinary Institute of America, where I graduated in 1992.

During those early years, I spent time traveling and following the music of the Grateful Dead. I followed them on the road until the passing of Jerry Garcia. Those experiences taught me a lot about community, creativity, and enjoying the moment—values that still inspire how I cook today.

Eventually I settled in Greenville, Maine, near Moosehead Lake, where I raised my family while working as a chef for several private inns in the area.

In December of 2018, my wife Jen and I created Franny’s Bistro in Camden, Maine on the coast of Maine. Rising from the ashes of another restaurant, we built Franny’s together with a shared vision and a lot of heart.

Franny’s Bistro is the realization of my dream—to create accessible gourmet food that everyone can enjoy. The Maine coast has given me the opportunity to cook from the heart in a place that feels warm, welcoming, and a little like home.

I invite you to join us at Franny’s Bistro and share in the food, the atmosphere, and the dream that inspired it all.