Tucked in the verdant folds of Western Massachusetts' hill towns, Shelburne Falls—a pint-sized village straddling the Deerfield River in the towns of Shelburne and Buckland—is the kind of place that feels like a letter from a bygone New England, penned in petal and polished granite.

We sat down with Executive Chef Justin Forstmann of Casita Berkshires in North Adams, Massachusetts — on the MASS MoCA campus. Casita serves Mexican cuisine inspired by deep culinary training, travels abroad, and traditional Mexican fare. Fresh, local and sustainable ingredients showcase the bounty of the Berkshires and the hard work of the local growers and farmers.

Nestled within the southern part of the Berkshires lining the Connecticut border, New Marlborough, Massachusetts is a country haven inspired by its local roots.