When the Chef Takes Over the Home Kitchen

by | Being Married to a Chef, Blog, Cooking | 2 comments

Apparently in every professional kitchen my chef/husband has taken over in his career, he’s always gone in and reorganized, just shortly after he started.  He gets rid of things that are taking up “prime real estate” that are never used, throws away things in the freezer that shouldn’t be there . . . I’m sure many of your chefs have done the same things numerous times.

But what happens when the chef’s new kitchen he’s taking over is the one in your home?

Let’s be honest.  The kitchen at home has always been MINE!  It’s been mine because I do the majority of the cooking, obviously.  Half the time he can’t find anything because the way I organize is not how he would choose to organize, and it just doesn’t make sense to him.  Plus, he doesn’t cook at home very often because, well . . . he’s working!

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When the Chef’s Wife has Cancer

by | Being Married to a Chef, Blog | 22 comments

There’s really no easy way to tell you this.   But after reading the title, it’s pretty obvious what this post is about.

I’m not the greatest at easing into things.  I just kind of say them as it is.  So here it goes.

I have been diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer which has spread to my sternum.  It’s been a long month full of tests, waiting, more tests and Dr. appointments.  Because of this, I have dropped off the face of Social Media the past couple months. No newsletter, only a few new blog posts, no happy birthday posts on Facebook . . .  I just didn’t feel like writing and my life just completely turned upside down.

My emotions have been all over the place as we found out news (and then went on vacation for two weeks which was AMAZING!!!!  Hope to tell you about that one day soon!).

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What is it like to be a Chef?

by | Being Married to a Chef, Blog, Chef Life | 0 comments

When I started this series about what it’s like to be married to or date a chef in a specific area of the kitchen, I had one of my readers, who is the chef in the relationship, ask if she could answer the questions.  Of course I said yes!!

So today, I’d like to introduce you to Chef Heather Turner.  You can find out more about her on her website or on Facebook or Twitter.

Tell me a little about yourself and your chef (how you met, how long you’ve been together, do you have kids, etc.)

I worked in professional kitchens since I was 13 (with a work permit), 20 years in the business with the last 8 as an executive chef. I met my husband about 3 years after I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. I was actually married at the time (to another chef) and we became friends. He was working as a salesperson for Dole & Bailey, a high end white tablecloth supplier. We’ve been together for about 18 years now, 11 years married. 2 step daughters who are totally awesome. I’ve been out of the business now for about 10+ years but still do restaurant consulting and still dream of being on a line cranking covers out. Oddly enough they are never dreams of running out of food during a rush but instead of the adrenaline junkie rush that one gets when you get into the groove of being super organized and on a roll. I always wake up from those thinking I really need to get back into the biz and then I kick myself. (more…)

What is it Like to be Married to a Chief Culinary Officer?

by | Being Married to a Chef, Blog, Blogging, Children | 0 comments

This is the final post of this type is this series where we’ve walked through each cooking/chef position in the restaurant kitchen and have learned what it’s like to be married to or date someone in that position.  (Next week I have a post from a Chef who offered to answer the questions.,  YAY!!)

Today, I’ll be answering the same questions.  My husband is currently the Chief Culinary Officer for the Opper Melang restaurant group in Seattle, Washington.

Tell me a little about yourself and your chef (how you met, how long you’ve been together, do you have kids, etc.)

I met my husband when I was 4 and he was 5.  We were high school sweethearts and got married at 20 and 21.  He started working as a line cook about 6 months after we got married.

What position does your chef/cook have in the kitchen?  Briefly describe the size and type of restaurant he is working at (fine dining/casual, size, privately owned or part of a restaurant group, etc.).

My husband is the Chief Culinary Officer of a restaurant group based out of Seattle, Washington.  Currently they have 3 restaurant concepts (Mexican, Southern BBQ and Oyster Bar) and 12 locations, with a plan to open 3-5 a year for a while.  Currently about half of the restaurants are within driving distance.  When he visits the others (which are clumped together in different cities), he travels.  There are two owners and a CEO above him. (more…)