Kristen is a born and raised Winnipegger, while Kyle hails from Toronto. This culinary pair met at cooking school at George Brown College in the Culinary Management Program in Toronto and have been together ever since. After having trained together they went on to work for the Head Judge of Top Chef Canada, Mark McEwan, at his restaurants, ONE and Bymark. Kristen has worked at 529 Wellington, Scarpetta, Gallery Grill as Sous Chef and Manager of Les Louises Catering Company. Kyle has worked for Buca, Sous Chef at Five Doors North and was Head Butcher at The Healthy Butcher.
Both Red Seal chefs they brought their training back to Winnipeg in 2012 to open CHEW restaurant and start a family. The couple opened their kitchen in August 2013. Chew, which is an amalgamation of their last names, features a menu that is earthy yet sophisticated. The charming café hit the mark with its attention to local ingredients from small producers. Their globally inspired regional cuisine was an instant hit with food lovers and critics too. The intimate dining room was on many 'best new restaurant' lists that year. So, it makes perfect sense that Kristen and Kyle, expanded their horizons. The pair opened The Store Next Door, a bakery, espresso bar and prepared foods shop. The new business is located—you guessed it—right next door to Chew. Long wooden communal tables, repurposed barn wood, bright white subway tiles and shelves loaded with preserves and pickles decorate the space. Every day between eight and 10 varieties of freshly baked breads are on the racks alongside sweet and savoury pastries. French, Eastern European and Southeast Asian baked favourites—like croissants, coconut buns and knishes—are also fresh from the ovens.
Just last year the couple further expanded their Winnipeg culinary empire, opening Lark, a café, bakery and market which opened at 91 Albert St. This incredibly busy pair also run a full catering business.
