Who we are

At Gruel Britannia, we strive to bring the warmth and whimsy of British comfort food to New England. Our mission is to deliver high-quality, lovingly crafted meals—from our signature Full English Breakfast and Scotch Eggs to elegant afternoon teas—made with fresh ingredients and evocative presentations that celebrate British culinary traditions.

We aim to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of dining in a friend’s home, paired with attentive, friendly service. As culinary ambassadors of British flavor in Connecticut, we also offer thoughtful extras—like Cadbury treats for sale and creative community events—so every guest can enjoy a unique, memory‑rich experience rooted in charm, authenticity, and joy.

Karen was born and raised in London in a household where good food was central to everyday life. From an early age, meals were about quality, tradition, and connection—values that would shape her lifelong relationship with food.

She spent a great deal of time traveling throughout Europe, particularly Italy, where she developed a deep passion for Italian cuisine. Karen loves each aspect of food—from sourcing the freshest ingredients, to cooking, and most importantly, sharing and enjoying a great meal.

One of the things Karen values most about her culinary journey is that she never formally trained as a chef. Instead, her experience was built through a lifetime of meaningful roles within the culinary world. Her most influential mentor was the late, great Marcella Hazan, an experience that left a lasting impression and reinforced her belief in honest, ingredient-driven cooking.