Well-known Seacoast chef Mark Segal joins Fold'd Community Diner: 'I love the mission'

SOMERSWORTH — There is a new chef at Fold'd Community Diner, a name and face who is familiar to many in the Seacoast and Tri-City regions.

Mark Segal is now leading the kitchen at Fold'd, according to John Burns, executive director SOS Recovery Services, which runs the recovery-friendly restaurant.

Segal has a long history in Seacoast restaurants, most recently as the owner and operator of Gravy, a restaurant that began in Somersworth in 2020, and moved to Wells, Maine, in 2022, before closing in late 2023.

Segal said there is a lot to love at Fold'd.

"After cooking for over 30 years, what is important to me has really shifted," he said. "I cherish the chance to bring education here, to teach what I am best at, sharing my knowledge."

After Gravy closed, Segal said, he took some time to consider his next steps.

"There is some good stuff happening in Somersworth, not the least being this project," he said. "Gravy was a good concept but was not taking in the area at this time. I took a look at Fold'd and I liked what I was seeing. John Burns, SOS and the work being done at the diner really shone to me. I love the mission. John and I talked about what he wants to accomplish, and I want to be a part of making this happen."

How Segal connected with SOS Recovery

Burns said he and Segal spent several hours discussing the project at Fold'd.

“Mark was connected to us recently and when we met, he brought an enthusiasm and passion in developing people to build careers in the culinary and hospitality industry," said Burns. "It was clear this was a partnership that we both were committed to make happen and we are both grateful and excited to have his skills and expertise to help lead this vision.”

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Segal said people in the industry are very supportive of each other.

"I am pleased and proud to be a part of Fold'd," he said. "I am looking forward to a myriad of possibilities in the future."

Fold’d Community Diner is a social enterprise and workforce development project that focuses on hiring individuals who are in recovery from substance use disorders and individuals coming out of incarceration. It is a new part of the SOS mission to support people in recovery and to help them get a hand up in creating a better life.

Segal has worked in restaurants across Seacoast

Segal was previously the corporate chef for Tinios Hospitality (Galley Hatch in Hampton, Popovers on the Square in Portsmouth and Epping, Grill 28 in Portsmouth), opening chef and food and beverage consultant for Nikanos Mediterranean Bar & Grille in Ogunquit, Maine, executive chef at the former Demeters Steakhouse in Portsmouth, executive chef at One Hundred Club in Portsmouth and executive chef at the former Pesce Blue in Portsmouth.

Segal grew up in the restaurant business. According to provided information, he has worked in various elements of the industry over the years in both front and back of house. As a child his family owned a live performance theater seating over 3,200 people. This was accompanied by a 250-seat restaurant, as well as various concessions within the grounds.

Segal is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has worked from Boston to Los Angeles with industry leaders such as Lydia Shire, Susan Regis, Mark Peel, Nancy Silverton, Joachim Splichal, Octavio Baccerra, and Suzanne Goin amongst others. He is a former board member for Share Our Strength Seacoast, a former member and co-leader for Chefs Collaborative Seacoast, a nominee and former National Advisory board member for Best Chefs in America. He is a three-time nominee for Seacoast Spotlight Best Chef. He has worked with educational organizations such as the University of New Hampshire Hospitality Management Program, the Obama administration's “Let’s Move” initiative, and the New Hampshire Fisheries Department.

Segal said he is "driven by a desire to connect the sources of our food with the people who consume that food and to share the knowledge he has been fortunate enough to have had shared with him."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Chef Mark Segal joins Fold'd Community Diner in Somersworth NH