Behind the Line
Topic: Off the Clock
Gardening
Do you grow any of your own ingredients for the restaurant? Which ones, and what do you do with them?
- Kevin Nashan
- Executive Chef/Owner
- Sidney Street Cafe
- Saint Louis, Missouri
We grow a little, outside we created 100 yards of raised beds surrounding our parking lot. We try to grow a variety of stuff i.e. (Di Firense fennel, Burnet, Dandelion greens, turnips, red Malabar ...
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If you're a gardener, how did you get into it?
- Kevin Nashan
- Executive Chef/Owner
- Sidney Street Cafe
- Saint Louis, Missouri
I was always amazed of the gardens from some of the chefs I had worked for in the past i.e.. Roland Liccioni and Alex Lee. I just wanted to be like them.
Not all ingredients grow so easily. What are the trickiest ingredients to grow, and why? Which are the easiest?
- Kevin Nashan
- Executive Chef/Owner
- Sidney Street Cafe
- Saint Louis, Missouri
The lay ups (beets, carrots, okra, greens, sweet pot, peas, fennel, eggplant, peppers, sunchokes, cardoons, crosnes....)
The headaches (heirloom tomatoes, melons, squash, figs....)
Some veg i...
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What are the five essential plants for a kitchen garden?
- Kevin Nashan
- Executive Chef/Owner
- Sidney Street Cafe
- Saint Louis, Missouri
Patience, TLC, Water, Luck, and Sun
I don't think there is an essential. That's the whole point of gardening. Grow what you want and enjoy the ride!
Is there one vegetable you wish you could grow but can't?
- Kevin Nashan
- Executive Chef/Owner
- Sidney Street Cafe
- Saint Louis, Missouri
I thought it was peanuts last year. After throwing a temper tantrum because non of us saw any growth on the plant after months of babying. We tore them out in October only to find the peanuts were ...
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Do you have a garden at home? What do you grow?
- Kevin Nashan
- Executive Chef/Owner
- Sidney Street Cafe
- Saint Louis, Missouri
Yes and that is a lot more challenging. Specially with a three year old and a one year old. They love to "help", whether it be creating a lake for what was suppose to be beets and lettuce to helpin...
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Venture beyond your garden gate. Are there any other nearby gardens you frequent, whether for ingredient sourcing or just to visit?
- Kevin Nashan
- Executive Chef/Owner
- Sidney Street Cafe
- Saint Louis, Missouri
Definitely a great way to get inspired, motivated, shot at (just kidding).
What are the rewards and benefits of tending a garden?
- Kevin Nashan
- Executive Chef/Owner
- Sidney Street Cafe
- Saint Louis, Missouri
The cooks get to have a better connection with food. It forces patience on you. The produce. Having some suds in the sun.
What are the downfalls or difficulties of tending a garden?
- Kevin Nashan
- Executive Chef/Owner
- Sidney Street Cafe
- Saint Louis, Missouri
Not enough time, it becomes overwhelming (weeding, harvest, watering). Not patient, sabotage (insects)
Why do you feel it’s important to garden?
- Kevin Nashan
- Executive Chef/Owner
- Sidney Street Cafe
- Saint Louis, Missouri
Similar to making charcuterie, there are so many nuances and lessons learned through the process. It's hands on with lots of work and some incredible rewards. But most of all for me it helps me ta...
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