Recipes
Meet Andrew: Our SW Cafe’s Lead Cook

Andrew recently took the helm in the kitchen of our new SW café, and we are certain he will win you over with his quick wit and zest for life. Bright-eyed and standing at nearly 7 feet tall (slight exaggeration), he has everything in the kitchen humming in perfect pitch. We asked him a few questions about Lovejoy and, of course, cooking. Get to know this fine fellow more, and read the Q & A session below.

Q: How did your culinary career start?
A: I was really, really, good at washing dishes – too good apparently.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the cooking lifestyle?
A: I like being able to be creative with food, and it is a perfect cover for listening to silly music all day. Also, it allows me to party.
Q: What is your favorite thing to make?
A: The tuna tartine is by far my favorite thing to make. Not only is it super pretty, but it tastes incredible. The flavors of calabrian chili marinade, shaved fennel, and kalamata olives are far superior to the played out mayo-based nonsense.
Q: What is the best song for cooking?
A: Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield
Q: What has cooking taught you about life?
A: Cooking has taught me that you have to create a positive environment for yourself. Whether that takes the form of being in a clean space with the right music and equipment, or if it means creating a happy home life, the end product is always better when you feel better.
Q: What is your favorite random ingredient to add?
A: That would be a toss up between salt and lemon juice.
Q: What did you do before you became a cook?
A: Played sooooo much lax (that means Lacrosse, Portlanders!).
Q: Why did you choose to work at Lovejoy?
A: It’s hard to decide between the love and the joy. Actually, the wanted ad mentioned that you must be able to rock a bandana. I showed up to the interview wearing one, probably with a sharpie hanging out of it, and the rest is history.
Q: If you could have any super power to help you with work, what would it be?
A: It would be to shrink 5 inches at work. Everything is made for short people.
Thank you, Andrew, for all that you bring to Lovejoy, and the SW Café kitchen!