The Kitchen News: Tunde Wey Throws LAGOS Pop-Up Dinner at The Kitchen
We are SO excited to be co-hosting (with MStyle) a pop-up dinner with Chef Tunde Wey of Lagos NEXT FRIDAY, September 11! Tunde has gained a lot of attention lately for his Nigerian food concept which celebrates the idea of simply enjoying the food you grew up with- in this case, that is “hearty, sloppy, spicy, greasy, and fucking delicious” Nigerian food. Tunde explains Lagos as a direct reaction against “foodie culture,” which tends to place more emphasis on the intellectualism behind a dish. His viewpoint is that food is meant to be enjoyed- however sloppy, ugly or messy.
Being a West African immigrant, Tunde embarked on this journey with a mission to see the country as well as to recreate and share dishes from his homeland, and he has done so primarily by Greyhound Bus. He has done one-man pop-up dinners in New Orleans, Chicago, Buffalo and Detroit, all to rave reviews, and we are so excited to add Columbus to that list.
Patrons of this event can expect a memorable night featuring some of Tunde’s Nigerian favorites. More than 10 dishes will be served, including vegetarian options, fish, lamb, Cornish hen as well as goat. Guests can expect meals with distinct spices and a little bit of heat.
We have limited spots left for this incredible experience with Tunde and we encourage you to purchase a ticket and join us- this is an event you don’t want to miss!
Please check out NPR’s coverage of Tunde to learn more about his fascinating story as well as his current struggles in the immigration system.
Photo of the Week: Cooking with St. Joseph Montessori School
Campers from St. Joseph Montessori School's Summer Learning Camp had a great time learning to cook fresh pasta with The Kitchen!
The Kitchen News: Taco T-shirts Benefit Mid-Ohio Foodbank
In the weeks leading up to our two-year anniversary celebration, we held a T-shirt design contest for community members. There were so many clever, funny, and all-around wonderful submissions, it was hard to select just two! On our July 14 Taco Tuesday two-year anniversary celebration, we unveiled our winners: Maddy & Harper for the youth category, and Michael for the adult category. Congratulations to our winners!
Winning Youth Design
Winning Adult Design
We are also thrilled to share that our T-shirt sales benefitted a great cause: the Mid-Ohio Foodbank! We are so excited to be able to donate $250 to this amazing organization that does so much good for our community.
Hello!
Welcome to The Kitchen Blog. In this space we are excited to share with you news and happenings around The Kitchen, as well as recipes, tips and photographs of our recent events. We hope this space will be an extension of your own kitchen table: a place to learn about new recipes, discover new ways to prepare your old favorites and catch up with old friends.
Stay tuned for updates from Jen, Anne and The Kitchen crew and as always, feel free to contact us at info@thekitchencolumbus.com.
Welcome!
Almost six years ago on July 12, 2013, The Kitchen officially opened its doors for business. We are thrilled to still be cooking together six years later and are excited to launch our blog as a way to celebrate! The Kitchen came alive through a Kickstarter campaign that raised $40,000 in just 40 days. It seems only fitting that “crowd-sourced dining” should be made possible through crowd-sourced funding.
Jen Lindsey and Anne Boninsegna are the aprons behind the idea. The two have been cooking, catering and throwing parties together for more than 15 years.
Having worked together through their careers at Franklin Park Conservatory - Anne in Special Events and later executive management and Jen as the registrar before moving into food programming- both know what it means to solve problems creatively, think outside of the box and be financially strategic.
Jen has also studied at Columbus State Community College in the Hospitality Management/Culinary Apprenticeship program and has worked with Chef Paul Yow at Barcelona and Chef Josh Wickam at Rocky Fork Country Club as well as doing in-house catering at the Columbus Museum of Art.
Jen and Anne had been planning a food-related business concept for several years, but it wasn’t until they stepped into the space at 231 E Livingston Ave. that their concept really came alive. The two had been inspired by a cooking camp through The Conservatory that changed their perspective on what a dining experience could be. They loved how it brought people of different walks of life, opinion and background together by allowing food to be a common denominator.
When speaking about the concept, Anne says “We all need food to survive, but how we share that food with others is what The Kitchen is really all about. Friendships are forged and differences forgotten because you have now had an experience with someone that allows you to understand them a little better, you’ve broken bread with them. That is what we hope to accomplish at the end of a dinner.”
It’s been almost six years of community connection, shared memories and, of course, delicious meals enjoyed together- we like to think we have learned a thing or two along the way. We are starting a monthly post about being a woman-owned business that will include our tips, tricks, missteps, greatest achievements and most joyful moments. We hope you enjoy!