Rich Abbott

Owner, West Village Tavern

Rich began his culinary journey under the tutelage of renowned restaurateur Frank Giuffrida at the esteemed Hilltop Steakhouse & Butcher Shop. Seeking new experiences, he then ventured to the Historic Towne Lynne House on Suntaug Lake in Lynnfield, MA, where he joined brothers Peter & Robert Derba. In 1994, Rich joined Tara Hotels owned by Thomas J Flatley, overseeing restaurant operations at his expansive Lynnfield property, which boasted a 500-seat restaurant, PGA Certified 18-hole Golf club, a grand 1000-seat ballroom, and a luxurious 200-room Hilton Hotel, all nestled within 100 acres. His career continued to flourish when he joined Back Bay Restaurant Group owned by Boston Restaurateur Charles F. Sarkis, where he held managerial positions in both the American and Italian divisions. Currently, Rich serves as Vice President/Partner for the Wellesley Restaurant Group, residing in Andover with his wife Toni and their dog Maddox.