Mary Dumont Will Depart Harvest to Start a New Venture

Mary Dumont, executive chef at Harvest for the past eight years, has announced that she plans to leave the Harvard Square institution to "pursue my dream of opening my own Boston-based restaurant," Boston Restaurant Talk reports via the Boston Globe. Dumont made the statement in a friends-only post on Facebook. Chris Himmel of Himmel Hospitality Group confirmed the news in the Globe, saying via a statement that Dumont has agreed to help Harvest with the transition.

The fine dining spot, tucked into a cozy corner of Cambridge, is in its 40th year, and it was marking the occasion with some big changes before this announcement. It closed for almost a month early this year, reopening late in January with some new aesthetic and culinary ideas. Phase two of the 40-year makeover will bring upgrades to Harvest's patio, extending its al fresco dining options through three seasons, Boston Magazine reported. "As Harvest approaches its 40th Anniversary, we look forward to writing its next chapter," Himmel said.

No timeline is given for Harvest's transition or for what's next for Dumont. But, the chef has been making moves. "After so much planning, I can’t wait for all the exciting times ahead, and to welcome you all into my new home! Stay tuned for updates on my new venture!!!!" she wrote on Facebook.