"Steve is a terrific choice to lead the Inn for two reasons," Zea said. "First is his life experience in hospitality in England, the Caribbean, and New England. And then there's the fact that he's worked here before and has been our neighbor for decades."

"The third time's the charm," Pardoe said, "and I am excited to return to the Deerfield Inn, taking over the helm for Karl and Jane Sabo, who lovingly managed the Inn together for almost 30 years.  Under the guidance of Karl and Jane, the Inn's dedicated and supportive team has helped make my transition smooth. I am grateful for their tireless hard work."

A native of Manchester, England, Steve began his career at the Rashleigh Inn in Cornwall, England as a new graduate from South Trafford College of Hospitality and Restaurant Management.  There he developed the inn's intimate restaurant menu using his grandmother's recipes as inspiration and locally-sourced, kitchen-garden ingredients; essentially "farm to table" before it was chic. Longing for respite from England's notoriously dreary weather, Steve set his sights on the warm breezes of the British Virgin Islands, where he spent more than ten years in a variety of roles, from restaurant owner to hotel manager and even head chef on the "Wanderlust," a 65-foot chartered yacht.  While there, Steve met his wife of 34 years, Susan, and together they opened the Cooper Island Beach Club on a small island.  Following the birth of their daughter, Rachel, Steve and Susan sought a more ideal location to raise a family, and resettled in western Massachusetts, where they opened the Bernardston Inn in 1983.

In 1989, Steve and Susan moved to Deerfield, where he opened Old Deerfield Catering, operating the business out of their home and catering to regional weddings, business functions, and other events. Their daughter, Jessica, was born and soon the family relocated back to Cooper Island to help expand the restaurant into a 12-room hotel. But home beckoned them to leave the island paradise and after returning to Deerfield, Steve joined the Deerfield Inn as the function manager from 1995 - 1998, then as dining room manager from 1998 - 2001. For a short time he was employed as the night and beverage manager at the Hotel Northampton for 18 months, and then returned to the Deerfield Inn a second time as dining room manager from 2001-2005. Ever ready to accept new opportunities and challenges, Steve jumped at the chance to take on the operation of the Flat Street Brew Pub and Taproom restaurant in Brattleboro, Vermont. The pub became a cornerstone of the Brattleboro community but unfortunately was devastated by Hurricane Irene in 2011.

Steve and Susan still live in Deerfield, so close that he can walk to work. You may also meet his two now-grown daughters, Rachel and Jessica, when they visit the Inn - a beloved second home from their own formative years - and Steve's new love, his beautiful granddaughter Eliana.

In addition to the appointment of Pardoe as the new innkeeper, Alicia Graves, of Orange, Mass., formerly the inn's Special Events and Private Dining Manager, has been promoted to Assistant Innkeeper/Banquet Sales.

Steve Pardoe by the fireplace in the lobby of the Deerfield Inn.

About The Deerfield Inn

The Deerfield Inn, which is owned and operated by Historic Deerfield, Inc., is a classic small hotel built in 1884 that continues to welcome travelers from across the United States and around the world. Champney's Restaurant and Tavern at the Deerfield Inn features casual, friendly, farm to fork dining within the welcoming atmosphere of the inn.

 

About Historic Deerfield, Inc.

Historic Deerfield, Inc., is dedicated to the heritage and preservation of Deerfield, Massachusetts, and the Connecticut River Valley. Its museums and programs provide today's audiences with experiences that create an understanding and appreciation of New England's historic villages and countryside.

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