Feature: Along Came Carol

Feature: Along Came Carol

At the Nook in Blackrock, Conn. chef and hostess Carol Lentini serves as many as 27 guests for a unique dining experience. Diners, many of whom did not know each other beforehand, meet at the farmhouse table styled dinner. Photographed for Hearst Connecticut Media Group newspapers.

Jessica Moore, the sole server at The Nook, lights candles for the evening to set the atmosphere in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Jessica Moore, the sole server at The Nook, lights candles for the evening to set the atmosphere in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Carol, hostess and head chef, places a centerpiece onto the busy and fun table at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Carol, hostess and head chef, places a centerpiece onto the busy and fun table at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
A mirror mimics a window on the wall at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
A mirror mimics a window on the wall at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Seating 27, the tablesetting at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Seating 27, the tablesetting at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Seating 27, the tablesetting at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Seating 27, the tablesetting at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
The tablesetting at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
The tablesetting at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Diners, many of whom did not know each other beforehand, meet at the farmhouse table styled dinner at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Diners, many of whom did not know each other beforehand, meet at the farmhouse table styled dinner at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
A toast on one side of the long, extended table at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
A toast on one side of the long, extended table at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Close friends share a unique dining experience at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Close friends share a unique dining experience at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Close friends share a unique dining experience at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Close friends share a unique dining experience at The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Carol, hostess and head chef, steps out of the kitchen to interact with guest at her unique experiential restaurant, The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.
Carol, hostess and head chef, steps out of the kitchen to interact with guest at her unique experiential restaurant, The Nook in Black Rock, Conn on Sept. 23 2016.