Chris James, founder of CG Consulting, grew up in Salem, CT. Food was always at the center of his traditional Greek family. “I grew up cooking with my mom. She was my first teacher, and I learned a lot from her from a very young age,” says Chris. He took those skills into Boy Scouts, where he realized that there was no limit on the kind of cooking he could do. “I loved to branch out from what was considered ‘normal’ camp food by cooking whole hams on the fire instead of hot dogs or oatmeal.” That innovation and drive from a young age carried him straight into culinary school.

From there, Chris attended the culinary program at Grasso Technical High School and went on to the Culinary Institute of America. In 2014, he opened a New London staple, the Claw and Rib. It was a fusion of southern barbeque and fresh New England seafood, and many community members have fond memories of the Claw and Rib to this day.

After closing the Claw and Rib, Chris decided to transition during the pandemic because he saw a non-traditional demand that needed to be filled. “I wanted to focus my attention on helping business owners recover from Covid; especially owners that may not have access to the resources needed to improve their businesses.” Chris says. His extensive experience as both a restaurant owner and years of working with other restaurants guides his business model today.

CG Consulting has since grown into a team of dedicated culinary professionals with combined decades experience, all committed to helping restaurant owners solve any problems that come their way.

Welcome to CG Consulting, where delicious food meets unforgettable experiences and prosperity for all.