Chef Gwen Gulliksen followed family to Hampstead at the end of last year, not knowing where her culinary journey would take her. Having held a variety of high-level positions in the food industry, Gulliksen knew for certain that her next job would have to involve her commitment to sustainable foods and local farms.

It just so happened that Ralph Tronca of Wilmington had recently purchased the Village Café and was seeking a new chef. Gulliksen and Tronca share similar culinary interests, and Gulliksen felt it was a great opportunity to help Tronca revitalize the cafe. 

The Village Café has been in operation since the mid-1980s. When Tronca took over, the menu was somewhat outdated and too large to support rising food costs. 

Many of the café’s ingredients are now sourced from local farms, fishermen, ranchers and creameries. The owner and chef plan to keep several of the café’s most popular items but are reworking the menu significantly. Gulliksen has also developed a boutique wine list made up of all handcrafted wines from family-owned vineyards. The café features two daily wines by the glass specials for $6.50.

“Many of our farmers have been coming in for lunch and dinner, and that really is the greatest compliment to be able to serve them the food they’ve produced,” Gulliksen said.

On Wednesdays, Gulliksen visits the Poplar Grove Farmers Market and features a Farmers Market Menu that night. Thursday is Southern Comfort Food Night, and on the weekends Gulliksen focuses mainly on fresh seafood for her specials.

She has also created a Gourmet Club, which will be held one Monday each month. The first club event will be a wine dinner on July 28 and will feature ‘Summer Reds.’ The dinner is priced at $50 per person for four courses, including wines.

The Village Café is at 107 Hampstead Library Road in Hampstead. Breakfast is served Friday-Sunday; lunch Tuesday-Saturday; brunch on Sunday and dinner Tuesday-Saturday.

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