SCENE FIRED UP
HIGH SEA MONTAUK NATIVE SHAWN CHRISTMAN’S MOBILE FOOD TRUCK HARVESTS THE LOCAL BOUNTY FOR AN EVERCHANGING MENU. BY BAO ONG
.
138 HAMPTONS-MAGAZINE.COM
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Chef Shawn Christman serving his line-caught fluke ceviche mini tacos; The Sea Bean at Lion’s Field near Montauk Brewing Company; North Fork peaches with fresh cream.
“WE’RE VERY CONNECTED TO OUR FARMERS AND FISHERMEN.” —SHAWN CHRISTMAN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAWN AND COURTNEY CHRISTMAN
While Shawn Christman grew up in a restaurant family, trained at the Culinary Institute of America, and for more than 15 years traveled the world cooking, the East End has always beckoned. So when a successful Kickstarter campaign helped launch his food truck, The Sea Bean, he decamped for the Hamptons. Unlike many food trucks that specialize in one item, Christman draws on local ingredients to inspire an ever-changing menu. During the day, he can be seen serving up fresh fluke tacos one moment, and hours later he may have his sleek truck parked in a backyard catering a party with a pig roast. “We know where our food comes from because we’re very connected to our farmers and fishermen,” says Christman, who also worked in the kitchens of Topping Rose House, Nick & Toni’s, and The Crow’s Nest. “Everything around here inspires our food.” Christman, who grew up in Montauk, adds that his influences can be traced to the seasons out East, the proximity to the ocean, and diverse communities. Says Christman, “Local is just the way of life here.” theseabean.com