The culinary realm is nothing new to the husband-wife team Christina and John Talbot, whose new Chadds Ford-based establishment, Taste & Sea, opened in early 2024. John’s 30-plus years in the restaurant industry, his training at the Philadelphia Restaurant School, and his stint as Executive Chef at Creed’s Seafood and Steaks in King of Prussia for 22 years, all served as an outline of what the couple hoped to achieve with their dining endeavor.

“We knew we wanted a fine dining, casual fine dining, seafood and steak restaurant; that’s what my husband has always gravitated toward and loves to cook,” said Christina. “There aren’t many steakhouses or seafood places in the area, but we wanted to create a coastal, elegant dining experience amidst the abundance of other dining options. From the decor to the table settings, everything reflects coastal colors and artwork. Our focus is on high-quality cocktails — it’s not about price, but about the experience, using freshly made ingredients with no pre-made mixers.”

But big dreams often require big support, ambition, and loads of determination and grit — all attributes the couple leaned on during the often-complex process of navigating the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan process. Specifically, Christina notes that key hurdles included a lengthy liquor licensing process and COVID-19 delays; however, they secured an SBA loan from Propell Credit Union, which facilitated renovations and initial operations.

How Propell Credit Union Streamlined the Taste & Sea Loan Process

While Taste & Sea opened in 2024, Christina explains that the process of ideating and looking for a spot began in 2020, pre-COVID. While they initially thought they had found “the spot,” things didn’t go as planned and disappointment started to set in — the Talbots now look upon that time with a sense of gratitude, knowing that things worked out as they needed to.

“In 2020, we explored various locations before finding the right one,” she said. “We almost committed to a spot just before COVID hit, but something felt off; we were grateful we didn’t proceed. We then pursued another location but faced setbacks when the owner backed out after we secured bank approval. Eventually, we followed our loan officer to Propell Credit Union, which helped us move forward.”

With the support of community-based lender Propell Credit Union, the Talbots overcame the bureaucratic hurdles that often deter aspiring restaurant owners and were able to transform the establishment into a unique experience for their customers. Christina describes this process as a “facelift” of sorts, as the building was formerly an Italian restaurant and needed a great deal of aesthetic improvements to match the Taste & Sea concept.

“We wanted to create a chef’s tasting room to enhance our guests’ dining experience, so we added a glass-enclosed room for that purpose,” she stated. “We also enclosed the kitchen; while it was originally open-concept, we felt it didn’t suit our vision. We wanted to ensure our guests enjoy a refined atmosphere without any distractions.”

In addition to these renovations, she notes that the SBA loan via Propell Credit Union was critical cash flow for other restaurant business expenses, such as new hires and food sourcing, as well as unexpected expenses.

“For instance, we had to bring in a chef earlier than planned to develop menus, prepare the kitchen, and ensure everything was up to par so a significant portion of our budget went toward these operational needs,” she said.

Christina also detailed that even though Taste & Sea faced unexpected challenges with funding, the process to get working capital was streamlined by working with her contacts at Propell.

“Initially, we thought we had enough money, but we quickly learned that we needed much more than we anticipated,” she said. “So, we approached Propell to request additional funding from the SBA. Two gentlemen there helped us navigate this process, advocating for our needs and believing in our vision. Their support was invaluable, especially since they are local and understand our goals.”

A Culinary Gem in Delaware County: Taste & Sea

While the culinary vision for Taste & Sea originated with John’s knack for preparing seafood and steak, the husband-wife team also shaped their restaurant vision around their desire to bring something different to the community.

Christina mentions how John’s years in the industry have served Taste & Sea well, as he has maintained long-standing relationships with seafood purveyors for 22 years, ensuring top-quality ingredients that set the restaurant apart.

With a seasonal menu and all the freshest ingredients, Christina and John’s hard work is recognized in the community, with customers enjoying the food, ambiance, and ease of the dining experience. Now, Christina states that the team is honing in on customer feedback when it comes to pricing and the new menu.

“With our new menu rollout, we focused on listening to customer feedback and have adjusted our prices to be more accessible,” she said. “We’ve also tailored our offerings to better align with their preferences.”

For example, one of those adjustments includes a recently implemented bar menu and happy hour based on community feedback. Adjustments such as these, especially in the early years of their restaurant, are important for the Talbots, who value the opinions and preferences of the community and strive for Taste & Sea to be an integral spot where people can meet, relax, and enjoy the finest cuisine.

“We aim to be deeply involved in the local community, partnering with high schools and various organizations for events. Building relationships with our neighbors is a top priority for us.”

Experience the culinary elegance and coastal charm of Taste & Sea for yourself. Whether you’re craving expertly prepared seafood, tender steaks, or a finely crafted cocktail, Taste & Sea promises a refined dining experience that combines quality, comfort, and community.

Learn more about Propell Credit Union and its offerings. Propell Credit Union was founded to accelerate economic progress and growth in the local communities it serves by empowering personal and business banking members to achieve their financial goals.