It’s a Wednesday night and I am sitting down to share a meal and a conversation with another incredible Chef. The restaurant, The Kitchen Brigade, 210 E. River Drive, Davenport. The food, Wings and Cakes (Double fried chicken wings, sticky honey chow chow with Alabama white sauce and lattice corn cakes) and Chicken & Grits (Pan seared thigh, green chile grits, chorizo cream, cilantro salad, with roasted tomatoes) Quite possibly the best grits I’ve ever had. These Chef made meals by the QC and maybe world famous Chef Cushman and Chef Brandle. Two amazing plates that I’ve reviewed before, but will always love and order.

However, we aren’t here to talk about those two gentlemen, or that amazing food this time. Our focus today is on Chef Laken. Who’s sitting in front of me ready to run in the back of the house, throw on an apron and cook with the best of them. That’s what she is kinetic energy ready to go.

You may know her from instructional classes or social media from Hy-Vee or her visits with Paula Sands Live. If not hopefully I can shed some light on this amazing Chef that is here to put some grill marks on the scene. Raised in the QC area, out of Geneseo, Illinois. Chef Laken is no stranger to the kitchen. Learning from Grandma at a young age she developed the chops and taste for fresh foods cooked at home. A young mother to a family of 5 she’s made it her goal to show the QC that great tasting food can be easy to cook at home, or you can pick up her “Premade on the go” meals at Hyvee on Devils Glenn Rd. where she has absolute control of the menu and meals she puts out monthly. Whether she focuses on South American, Hispanic, German, or European style cuisines you can be sure it has her spin or take on it to make it a little more her own, while also paying tribute to the original recipes and cooking styles.

So what’s next? Chef Laken will be joining the team at Kitchen Brigade for the weekend servings, however you will still be able to pick up her pre-made ready to cook meals at Hyvee.

What’s the dream? A few years ago, Chef Laken found herself cooking dinners in her back yard on a couple of cinder blocks and a quick made cooking fire. This wasn’t by choice, but a proud woman wanting to cook healthy meals for her family. That love she wants to spread eventually starting her own catering company. You could say she already has the blessings to acoomplish this being an Ordained Minister, Notary Agent, and a level 1 Sommelier. She’s a one woman show for any outdoor weddings needing a one stop shopping experience.

Watch for Chef to join me soon on some cooking videos for High Steaks with Leo.

Your friend in food,

Doc