Journeys in Food, Family & Fun: Meet Andrew, Alyn and Luciano
By Seth Stutman | Photos by Heather Lynn Photography
Published in Longmeadow Neighbors June 2025
These days, you may see Andrew Brow, Alyn McDermott and their son, Luciano, walking the streets of Longmeadow, but the road to Longmeadow streets was paved with hard work, perseverance, exquisite flavors, world-wide travel, and appreciation for the gift of life.
Andrew and Alyn may have met in the Pioneer Valley, but their story spans the world—and is best recounted directly from the source.
“We met, coincidentally, at his best friend, Bill Collins’ restaurant, Center Square Grill,” said Alyn. “I had just finished walking 500 miles solo across the Camino De Santiago, in Spain, and I had known Bill for some time, so in the interim before I headed back to St Thomas, USVI, which is where I was living prior to Spain, I needed some extra cash and asked to pick up some shifts at the restaurant (I had worked in the restaurant industry for 10+ years.) And on the first day I met Andrew. He wooed me with a special lunch dish that was made only for me, and then we had a catering gig together the following week and the rest was history.”
“We got engaged a year later, and married nine months after that,” she continued. “The best memory I have with him is at the birth of our son. After giving birth, Andrew swooped up my son and held him so close to his chest as if he had experienced real love for the first time, and the picture I was able to snap of this melts my heart. It just shows much of a big heart this man has, and why I fell in love with him in the first place. It was such a beautiful moment, and really showed me the type of father he would be, a man who would do anything for his family and I fell in love with him all over again after that.”
“We all have unique talents, and I believe that we were all chosen to be here so that we could serve one another, in love, with our gifts, our uniqueness, our expression, our skillsets and anything else that sets us apart. No matter what you do, you matter and you have an opportunity to show the world your strengths by helping others!"
—Alyn McDermott
Cooking has always been at the core of who Andrew Brow is. After graduating from Smith Vocational High School in Northampton, Brow began to hone in on his craft. At 17 he was hired by Claudio Guerra, owner of the Spoleto Restaurant Group. He quickly moved up the Spoleto restaurant group ladder—at 19 he was the head chef of Spoleto catering. At 21, he was the chef and general manager of Paradise City Tavern. When he turned 24 he decided he wanted to see what else was out there so he packed his car and took off. For the remainder of his 20's he cooked up and down the eastern seaboard. Upon returning to the Pioneer Valley, he took the job of executive chef at Center Square Grill. He held this position for years and now is the founder of HighBrow Wood Fired Kitchen + Bar, in Northampton, and food and beverage partner at Wycoff Country Club.
Despite the restaurant success—for Alyn, the best part of being with Andrew might be the fringe benefits. “I am so lucky to have a personal chef at home! Although we both cook, nothing compares to what he makes me. We both have different eating styles though, I am a vegan and he will eat anything, so sometimes it can be difficult!”
Alyn McDermott earned her degree in Communications and Spanish from James Madison University, and was fortunate to study abroad in Spain. Like Andrew, cooking was also in her blood. Her mother was a Head Chef at Metro Bis, a French restaurant in CT, and she can remember time spent in that kitchen with her mother, prepping green beans. After completing college, Alyn eventually found herself as the General Manager at Mama Iguanas in Northampton, MA, and shortly after that moved to the Virgin Islands to work at one of its top restaurants. After her return stateside, she worked on the other side of the beverage industry, as a rep for a variety of companies.
“I also love to cook, and as a vegan I am cooking a lot, but having grown up with my chef mom, it is in my blood. I also love snuggling up with a good book and reading the day away (libraries are one of my favorite places, there is something about the smell of books that reminds me of my childhood). Lastly, you only get one body, so honoring it through proper rest, nutrition, water and movement is key!”
During her time in the industry, Caley found something to be missing. She describes the path through dark times and the beautiful place her transformation led her.
“My heart always knew I wanted something more, though. I experienced quite a bit of trauma at a young age, which led to years of addiction (I am 5 years clean now!), eating disorders and toxic behaviors, and once I was able to work through it and truly heal, I knew that my true calling was empowering women with the tools to do the same in their own lives, so they could break generational cycles of smallness, birth their vision into the world and lead a new legacy for their family, community and world.”
“That is when Alyn Caley Inc. was birthed in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Through online programs, retreats and workshops, over the last 5 years it has grown into a true soul’s calling. It’s through my extensive trauma work and somatic inner healing practices, woven together with my knowledge of embodiment and the power to heal through the body, that I have had the privilege to guide over 400 women (and counting) through their own awakening + profound transformational healing journey.”
In her work, Alyn created a safe space and community for women to really cultivate a tribe of other women who will love and support them. As her work and business has picked up, her notoriety and comfortability have pushed her towards a new space, public speaking and writing. She has spoken at a variety of conferences and has published a co-collaborative book BMI: Beautiful. Maven. Index.: Ten Women Sharing Stories About Defining Beauty On Their Terms, debuted in December.
As if that wasn’t enough, Alyn is also on the board for She’s Local Pioneer Valley Conference for Women, as well as a mentor for Dress For Success Western Mass and Christina’s House. She has also been singing since she could remember, and currently is the worship director at New Life Church in East Longmeadow.
“My passion lies in guiding women back home to themselves through self expression, heart intimacy and radical self love.”
Now settled, Andrew and Alyn have more time to focus on their next adventure—parenting. Luciano can usually be found with his trucks or outdoors in his favorite place, nature. He loves soccer, singing, dancing, reading books and cooking with Andrew.
“[Luciano] started speaking full sentences when he was just 1.5 years old, so language is something that he excels at,” said Andrew. “We are teaching him Spanish as well, which he is picking up really proficiently. He will be starting school at Pioneer Valley Montessori soon.”
In addition to Luciano, there are two more (furrier) members of the household running around. Marco, 7, is a crazy Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix. Garcia, who they rescued from Dakin, is 8 and a Chihuahua Papillion mix.
While the Pioneer Valley is their home, you’re just as likely to see Alyn, Andrew and Luciano globe trotting.
“We are travel fanatics! At just 3 years old, my son has already been to Spain, Turks and Caicos multiple times, Costa Rica multiple times, the Bahamas and France. We love staying in the non tourist areas, so we really can get a true insight into what local life is like. We love to try new foods, new experiences and meet new people. Costa Rica is our absolute favorite place to visit, we have been there around seven times and it just keeps calling us back. The food, the people and the beautiful lush appeal of the jungle is just so inviting! We hope to have a home there one day and maybe a little restaurant, as well. It is just peaceful and calming and unlike any other place I have ever been,” said Alyn.
“I think the community aspect is something that makes it stand out. People in Longmeadow are really invested in their community and in making it a better place for their children and for everyone as a whole. I love how neighborly it is. Everyone on my street has one another’s number and we always look out for one another.”
—Andrew Brow
While they may have moved for the school systems—and may be constantly “on the move” when it comes to their work, their travel and their rambunctious toddler, this family is quite satisfied with Longmeadow.
“I love how tight knit and welcoming the community is. I also LOVE the sidewalks. We moved here 3 months prior to giving birth, and being able to just take my newborn in his bassinet and stroller all over town (and to get out of the house) was so wonderful. It is so nice knowing I can walk around anywhere!”
“I love my neighbors and my neighborhood. We are always helping each other out. I know that if my family goes on vacation, my neighbor will watch my house, or if trash day has changed or there is a Christmas tree pickup, I will always receive a text letting me know. Everyone is just so kind here.”
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