About us
The Purple House was built in 1950 as a family cottage in the country. Since then it has been home to a few families, a hot dog stand and much beloved video store. I first passed by the property in 2011 when my family moved to New Gloucester but it was not until 2015 that I thought about purchasing the property and renovating it for a wood fired bakery and restaurant. The small footprint (544 square feet) could present a challenge to many but I have spent the last 10 years working in such tight quarters that the space did not deter my desire to open a business within it's walls.
Chef Krista Kern Desjarlais
Krista Kern Desjarlais has worked in the restaurant industry for more than 40 years, holding every position from dishwasher to executive chef to owner. She began her culinary career catering in Westport, Connecticut then progressed to restaurant kitchens while attending college in Southern Maine. She has a Bachelors degree in English Literature. It was during her first year of a Masters program that she left to cook full time. Since then she has been involved in the opening of 13 major restaurants in NYC, Connecticut, Aspen, Maine, Boston and Las Vegas.
In February of 2007, Krista achieved a life-long goal of opening her own restaurant in Portland, Maine. Bresca was the culmination of more than 25 years of culinary experience, where Krista was nominated for a James Beard Award, Best Chef Northeast, in 2011 and on the semi finals list for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Conde Nast Magazine named Bresca one of the Top 100 Best New Restaurants in the World 2008. In 2013 Bresca was included in the new book ‘Where The Chef’s Eat’. And Krista was nominated and voted in by her peers to the first and second editions of ‘Best Chefs in America 2013 & 2014.
In 2013, Krista closed Bresca to focus on raising her daughter and opened a summer business, Bresca & the Honeybee at Outlet Beach. Since then her ice cream has been in several regional magazines including 2021 Yankee Magazine and a feature article in The Washington Post as the best ice cream stand in Maine and the Northeast. Her ice cream was also featured in Rachel Rays Magazine in the summer of 2022.
In December 2016, she opened The Purple House wood fired bakery and in 2017 was named by Bon Appetit as one of the country’s top 50 best new restaurants. Her Montreal style bagels were also highlighted as Bon Appetit’s Best Bagel in the country. Krista was a semi finalist in 2018, 2019 and a finalist in 2020 for the James Beard Award, Best Chef Northeast.
Currently in 2025/2026 she is reopening The Purple House as a reservation only lunch restaurant (Fancy Luncheon) serving the food she has always loved to cook for you all!
