OUR STORY
ABOUT THE CHEF
Owner and Executive Chef, Brent Hudson, has an extensive and dynamic knowledge of Australian and South East Asian fusion style cooking. Since commencing in the industry as a teenager, he has worked his way up the ranks of several award-winning restaurants from apprentice, to head chef, to opening and developing kitchens of his own.
Brent shares ownership of New York’s ‘Parched Hospitality Group’ (comprising venues such as Hole in the Wall, Isla & Co., The Sentry, Daintree, Sugar Momma, and Ghost Burger), as well as oversees his latest farm-to-table venture – Hudson Botanical - together with his wife, in Smoketown, PA.
WHY LANCASTER?
Brent and Madeline first landed in Lancaster County in 2015, as tourists. They had been dating a short while, when their adventurous spirits led them to take extended leave from their jobs in Australia to travel the world for one year, and ultimately find work abroad. Upon arriving in Lancaster County, they both fell in love with the area, the people, the farmland and the fresh produce, and secured jobs at an Amish farmers market where they remained for the duration of their year abroad.
During this time, Brent and Madeline resided in an Amish barn apartment, where they lived without modern conveniences such as electricity or television. They immersed themselves in the local culture - operating the diesel generator at their home, riding Amish scooters into town (their primary mode of transport), attending Amish weddings & funerals, learning basic PA Dutch, and participating in local farming practices.
Having already established a number of successful restaurants in Australia and recognizing the glaring opportunity in Lancaster, Brent began to envision a concept for his own farm-to-table restaurant in the area.
Fast forward to 2021 (after four years spent in New York City adding to his portfolio of successful restaurant openings) and the dream became a reality when the opportunity came up for a space of his own in Smoketown, PA. After months of renovation, "Hudson Botanical" was opened in August 2021, and Brent and Madeline now spend their time divided between New York City, and Amish Country Pennsylvania.
PICTURED ABOVE: The Amish barn where Brent and Madeline first resided, pictured to the right of the “Welcome to Intercourse” sign, on Old Philadelphia Pike
FARM-TO-TABLE
At Hudson Botanical, we are passionate about creating meaningful relationships with our local food producers. It is our fundamental belief that the “farm-to-table” movement plays a vital role in economic, environmental and community sustainability, by strengthening the connection between growers, the foodservice industry, and consumers.
We spend many hours each week sourcing local produce, visiting farms, and updating our menu to reflect what is currently locally available, and we are honoured to work with the following local purveyors:
Oasis Creamery, Ronks PA
Goose Lane Egg Farm, Sinking Spring PA
Green Meadow Farm, Gap PA
Stoltzfus Meats, Intercourse PA
Smucker’s Farm Market, Lancaster PA
Stoltzfus Produce & Market Fare, Leola PA
