Marco A. Moreira
Interim Chef
Previous Chef/ Owner of Tocqueville Restaurant
Chef Marco A. Moreira is a Brazilian-born chef and restaurateur known for his refined, globally influenced cuisine and long-standing presence in the New York dining scene. After moving from São Paulo to New York City in the early 1980s, he began his culinary journey as a sushi chef during the city’s early sushi boom. His talent and dedication quickly earned him opportunities to work in prestigious kitchens such as Bouley and The Quilted Giraffe, where he refined his classical techniques and developed a deep appreciation for seasonal ingredients and thoughtful preparation.
Chef Moreira later established himself as a leading restaurateur with acclaimed restaurants including Tocqueville and 15 East. Through these ventures, he built a reputation for blending French, American, Japanese, and Brazilian culinary influences while highlighting fresh, locally sourced products from nearby farmers’ markets. With decades of experience in fine dining and hospitality, Chef Moreira continues to shape memorable dining experiences through his commitment to quality, creativity, and timeless culinary craftsmanship.
Karen Veillette
Head Bartender
Community table’s hallmark ambiance, and Karen’s natural warmth makes the bar an easy and welcoming destination for casual diners and those just coming in to enjoy a special cocktail that is anything but ordinary. Being a bartender isn’t just about serving food and drinks, it’s about providing an experience. “It’s my honor to be able to learn and navigate the needs of our guests in a way that is genuine and in alignment with my own love of the hospitality industry.”
As a Connecticut native, Karen studied the culinary arts and hospitality management since high school. After a move to Boston where she worked front of house as server, bartender and then manager for Boston’s largest restaurant group, she moved across the country to Arizona where she studied Holistic Heathcare, herbalism, food energetics, flower essence healing and mind/body transformational psychology.
Managing Partner
A New York native and graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Ct is Jo-Ann's fifth restaurant. She previously owned and operated the storied Tocqueville Restaurant and its Michelin-Starred neighbor, 15 East, as well as The Fourth and Botequim -- all located in NYC's Union Square. Jo-Ann was the Catalyst for GrowNYC's Project Farmhouse- a public education center for environmental sustainability, and volunteered regularly at Citymeals on Wheels.
Jo-Ann joined Ct's original owners, Keith and Peggy Anderson, to relaunch the restaurant in 2018. Their shared vision to curate a restaurant that is a gathering place for the community and a place to celebrate locally-sourced ingredients is now in its 15th year.
Alongside her role at Ct, Jo-Ann is an active member of Les Dames D'Escoffier, a mom, and a full-time resident of New Preston. Jo-Ann is currently working on a new project for the Community table company.
