Constantly looking for collaboration and inspiration, on a lark, I met Chef Kyle Powers and was immediately drawn to his kind and calm demeanor. He is one of those people that you just feel good standing next to. He developed his culinary skills in the kitchens of restaurants as opposed to the traditional cooking schools (the sign of a true rebel!). After seeing him in action and tasting several of his creations, I realized the culinary world chose him and we all are better for it. We are thrilled to have Kyle create our menu, select the wine, and mingle with guests at our next lark on 9.19.14 in Sunset Beach. So you can get to know him better, below is a short Q&A to get the conversation started!:
What is your earliest culinary memory?
My earliest culinary memory is waking up on Saturday mornings at 5 years old, turning on cartoons, and then deciding to make breakfast for my parents. I would always get in trouble because I wasn’t allowed to touch the stove.
What is your view on the (slow) food movement?
I feel like the world of food has changed a lot but mainly for those interested in that change. We need this change to happen with more people and communities, especially for our health.
Which cooking words or phrases do you most overuse?
I use them without thinking! Then, when I feel like I’m overusing, I stop and figure another way to get my point across—which leads me back and then to over usage! Lol. But a popular word/term I can’t really stand is “foodie”.
What is your most treasured culinary possession?
Right now I love using my pressure cooker.
What is your motto?
My motto for when I cook is to “Be Different”. My motto for others is “Anyone Can Cook”. When I do my Cooking Demos I try and teach confidence in the kitchen versus just recipes.
What is your greatest culinary extravagance?
It is probably almost making it on Food Network Star a few years back. But currently it’s watching our business grow. See
What is your is your idea of the perfect meal?
My idea of a perfect meal is when I taste something that I’ve had before, but it makes me think I haven’t had it before. Add wine to that and I’m happy.
What do you most value in your friends?
I value my friends immensely. My favorite thing is that we can go days or even weeks without having seen each other and maybe have only chatted a couple times, but the effort we all make to stay connected is absolutely amazing. They support me more than I can ever ask or imagine.
Which living person do you most admire?
The living person I most admire is my wife Marisa. She is the biggest reason we have a successful business and she has endured a lot this past year. With our first pregnancy and first born I learned how to never give up and get through some really tough situations. I relate that to working in the kitchen everyday. She deserves multiple medals for being an amazing wife, a great businesswoman, a supportive sibling, caring daughter, and most of all a mother. She can do all of those things and still find time to make our own sunscreen, baby food and detergents for our home. She just recently made deodorant. What can I say? How can I not admire her?! I’m simply blessed beyond belief! And she makes my mom proud!
What is your favorite spice?
My favorite spice always changes. Other than salt I really like Juniper and Cumin too. But whatever spice I use I want to use it in the most unique way possible.
What simple advice do you give others regarding food?
Take time to cook! #bebravecreate
What is your most marked characteristic?
I am calm in the kitchen – and in general. The calmness brings out creativity for me.
Where would you most like to travel?
Our next big trip will be to Italy!!! But best food trips were to New York and Portland!
Who do you follow / admire in the food world?
My favorite chefs are Jamie Oliver and Rick Bayless. I feel Jamie Oliver is really trying to change the world with food and how kids are seeing food. I also really admire my friend at Red O in Los Angeles Chef Justin Haefler. His story is unbelievable and I think he is going to do huge things in the food world. His focus is on healthy eating without being a specific type, vegan, vegetarian, etc. FYI – Red O is a Rick Bayless restaurant out of Chicago that is now in L.A. and Newport Beach.
What made you realize that you were a good cook?
When my wife said, “let’s start a catering business”, I thought maybe I CAN cook! [editor note: Fork In The Road Catering ]
What is your favorite wine / food combo?
There are way too many great ones to choose from!
What arbitrary kitchen rule would you like to break or establish?
Being that I didn’t go to culinary school I think I break a lot of rules without even knowing it, but it works 95 percent of the time so I don’t really pay attention to the “rules”. If something doesn’t work I figure out how to make it work.
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See Chef Kyle’s mouth watering menu and learn more about our upcoming lark here:
We hope to see you there!
xo~L
