Soulful chef Gavin Kaysen captivates the taste buds of Minneapolitans with his award-winning restaurant, Spoon & Stable and its modern American cuisine. Corporate Essentials is honored to offer signature recipes created by the James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Midwest as a part of our Featured Chef office catering program with Martin + Fitch this month.
Culinary Experience
After graduating from the New England Culinary Institute in 2001, Gavin immersed himself in learning French techniques in some of the world’s best restaurants. Following an internship at Domaine Chandon in Napa Valley, he spent time in Switzerland at L’Auberge de Lavaux, and L’Escargot in London before settling in San Diego as Executive Chef at the AAA 4-Diamond Restaurant, El Bizcocho, where he was named one Food & Wine magazine’s “Best New Chefs”.
In 2007, Chef Kaysen left San Diego and moved across the country to become Chef Daniel Boulud’s chef de cuisine at Café Boulud in New York City. Here he earned the 2008 James Beard award for Rising Star Chef of the Year and a coveted Michelin Star. Gavin has explained his experience working with Daniel and his staff as being an essential learning experience. He not only sharpened his technical skills, but gained a lot of insight on hospitality, running a business, and cooking with his soul and spontaneity. The concept of cooking with emotions and how he’s feeling has carried over into his menu at his own venture, Spoon & Stable.
Spoon & Stable
Spoons are widely known to be Chef Kaysen’s favorite kitchen utensil. In fact, he has a collection of spoons obtained from vintage shops, as gifts from both restaurant-goers and friends, and even a few pocketed as mementos. When designing his restaurant in a former horse stable in the North Loop neighborhood, Gavin settled on the name Spoon & Stable as a tribute to his unique collection and the space’s history.
In 2018, Spoon & Stable was named to Eater’s America’s 38 Essential Restaurants list for the third year in a row. “Gavin Kaysen brought New York star power back to his native Minnesota but keeps himself grounded with local ingredients and compelling yet comforting plates,” the dining guide acclaims. Chef Kaysen’s cuisine is focused on the rich seasons and culture of the Midwest, while inspired by the French cuisine and techniques honed in his previous experiences. We’re excited to offer delicious signature recipes created by Chef Kaysen this month to our office catering customers with Martin + Fitch, including chicken basquaise, bacon wrapped veal loin, risotto milanese, and roasted beef rib.
After opening in the fall of 2014, Spoon & Stable was an instant success and even became a 2015 James Beard award finalist for Best New Restaurant. In 2018 Chef Kaysen’s restaurant was named to Food & Wine magazine’s The 40 Most Important Restaurants of the Past 40 Years, being recognized as one of the country’s most influential restaurants transforming America’s dining landscape. The magazine praised Chef Kaysen stating, “we can’t wait to experience the next generation of chefs who come up under his influence.”
Chef Kaysen’s Influence
With all of his accomplishments as a young chef, Gavin Kaysen became a founding member of the nonprofit Ment’or BKB Foundation, which helps America’s young culinary talent refine their skills and gives them the opportunity to showcase their talent through competitions. Chef Kaysen serves as Team USA’s Vice President and helps prepare the team for the Bocuse d’Or, the biennial culinary competition that showcases the world’s best up-and-coming chefs. He represented the United States himself in 2007. In 2015, he successfully led Team USA to a record-breaking second place victory.
About Martin + Fitch
Whether an office is looking to supply food for an occasional workplace party, a regular Friday happy hour or everyday lunches, Martin + Fitch can service your needs. With menus changing daily and inspired by the seasons, Martin + Fitch can provide delicious, better-for-you meal options for your employees. In addition, from photo shoots and drop off catering, to large full-service events, Martin + Fitch can help you choose your venue, hire staff and design the space.
