Renee Touponce,
Executive Chef
With a passionate focus on local ingredients and a serious position on equality in the kitchen, Reneé Touponce, Chef/Owner of Oyster Club and The Port of Call, continues to raise the culinary bar in Mystic, CT and throughout New England.
Reneé’s multicultural background influences both her cuisine and view of the world. Her upbringing is a blend of Italian and Puerto Rican, with memories of rice and beans on the stove, a lasagna in the oven, and food bringing her family together. Her inventive, locally-sourced, sustainable cuisine, pays homage to the rich, coastal heritage of New England, investigating the ingredients of her region of Mystic and surrounding communities while recreating the flavors of her youth.
Reneé has a passion for whole animal butchery and charcuterie, working with small family farms, raising heritage breeds, many of which date back to the Revolutionary War. Driven by curiosity and a desire to push the boundaries, Renee has now immersed herself in applying these traditional techniques to fish.
She takes processes historically reserved for land based animals and applies them to fish: curing, dry aging, charcuterie, and utilizing what’s otherwise considered waste. Practicing zero waste and preserving what the world gives us makes her appreciate all the hands that it connects with along the way.
Reneé is the first to say that “there's no gender in food,” but admits to a time when that wasn’t the case. As a queer woman, she believes that things are changing for the better, with the industry becoming more aware and educated. Her kitchens are healthy, equal and safe, where no one has to feel out of place, while also cooking some of the most innovative and thoughtful food in New England.
Reneé is a 2024 James Beard Award Finalist for Outstanding Chef, a 2023 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef Northeast, and was named Chef of the Year at the Connecticut Restaurant Association’s 2022 CRazies Awards.
Jade Ayala, Beverage Director
Jade Ayala is the creative force behind the beverage programs at The Port of Call and Oyster Club in Mystic, CT. Jade’s boundary pushing vision and relentless search of new horizons helped earn The Port of Call the distinction of being named one of Esquire Magazine’s Best Bars in America 2022.
Jade’s signature cocktails have become favorites among patrons, earning accolades for innovative beverage pairings. Rice Koji Apertivo and milk liquor are part of the adventurous gin-based Kind and Generous, while the Organic Woodland Matter, her take on a classic Manhattan, is flavored with mushrooms, Pianora and umami bitters, and rivals any found in the Big Apple.
Jade’s imagination extends beyond the glass. Collaborating closely with the culinary team, she crafts cocktails that not only stand alone but also harmonize with the dishes on the menu, contributing to a holistic experience for guests. Jade takes local sourcing and seasonality fully to heart, sourcing ingredients directly from partner farms, much in the same way a chef curates a dinner menu.
Jade’s career began at Firebox in Hartford, where she discovered a passion for the dynamic atmosphere and camaraderie of the industry. Despite not having any formal bartending experience, she was given the opportunity to transition to mixology. Embracing the challenge, she dedicated herself to honing the craft.
Jade’s commitment to excellence and professional growth is evident in the way she operates her beverage programs. Her competitive edge is something expected from a cocktail bar in a major metropolitan area. But in this coastal town, the gateway to New England, she rarely reverts to past successes; she leans forward, pushing the envelope in constant pursuit of original experiences for her beloved guests.
Nancy Hankins, General Manager
Jessica Spivey, Pastry Chef
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