Matt Ginn has joined the team relaunching the Dry Dock (instagram) as the restaurant’s general manager.
In a statement released today Ginn shared, “I’ve worked in kitchens my entire career and for the last decade, opened, ran and helped several restaurants in Portland and Greater Portland reach their award-winning potential. The move to a more all-encompassing restaurant role for one establishment, and overseeing menu creation and kitchen staff hires for the re-opening of a restaurant that I grew up coming to, is the personal and professional change that I’ve been looking for.” Ginn continued, “I’ve known the Holden family for a long time and have a deep respect for what they do not only as the best Maine seafood company and B Corp, but as an employer and what they do to give back to our community. With Dry Dock, I’m excited to restore a legendary Portland restaurant and bring new life to it with this terrific team.”
The Dry Dock had been a fixture on the Portland waterfront since it launched in 1983. It’s been closed for a number of years. Luke Holden, Ben Conniff, Bryan Holden—co-owners of Luke’s Lobster— leased 84 Commercial Street in October with plans to relaunch the Dry Dock as a seafood tavern with a full bar program.
The Dry Dock is being thoroughly refurbished including a new kitchen and the construction of two large bars. When it re-opens this summer it will have an expanded deck, and is expected to seat up to 300 people.
Ginn is a Maine native and an experienced chef and leader. He comes to his position after 10 years with the Prentice Hospitality Group (Evo, Chebeague Island Inn, The Good Table, Twelve) where he was the group’s executive chef. Ginn was the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year in 2015. Earlier in his career he worked at L’Espalier in Boston and was the chef de cuisine at Five Fifty-Five.