Brian Scheehser
Inspirational Map
INTERVIEW
An interview with: Brian Scheehser
Tell us about your Kirkland background.
I was asked by the owners of the Heathman Hotel if I would be interested in being the executive chef and help put the restaurant together, concept Trellis, and get on board before the hotel opened – before the building was even built – and work with ownership and management to really develop the farm-to-table concept. And as a farmer in Woodinville and chef, it was a perfect partnership for us all. The concept was to develop a neighborhood, family-friendly unpretentious restaurant with good food and good quality. Not only to serve for our guests in the hotel and tourists, but also neighbors, friends and family in Kirkland.
How long have you been in Kirkland?
I’ve been farming for ten years. It’s the fourth year – the restaurant’s been open three years in October, and I started the January before that so this will be 3 ½ , going on 4 years here in downtown Kirkland.
What do you find special about being a chef in Kirkland? Being in Kirkland in general?
Our clientele is really savvy; they’re very food-oriented. They recognize quality and value. It’s a very friendly environment; a lot of locals blend very well with the tourists – it reminds me a lot of a summer community like La Jolla, or something like that. Summertime just seems to come alive in Kirkland.
Has working in Kirkland influenced your creative outlook?
The proximity to the Farm allows me to have things in the restaurant sooner. We have things in the restaurant that we picked this morning. We’ll do a harvest and within 15-20 minutes, it’s at the restaurant. Before we opened the restaurant I was working in Seattle, and there was no way to just run and pick something up in the morning; it just didn’t happen. So I think with the garden’s proximity, freshness is the key, and being able to get things right out of the ground into the restaurant each and every day during the growing season is a huge benefit. And now with the addition of my four greenhouses, we’re able to extend the growing season longer and serve fresh produce almost year-round.
Is Kirkland a good place to be working in your industry?
Yes. The customers and neighbors are great; and there are some great palates in Kirkland.
Inspirational Places
What do you find unique or special about Kirkland?
The community. It’s like a little beach town where you know everyone. You can just be walking down the street and vendors recognize you, the people who work in the bank, your neighbors,… people say hello to you on the street. Some will come in to the restaurant to say hi, or you see them around town, and over at the ballpark. So you just become part of the community.
What are some of your favorite places to go in Kirkland?
I like to walk to Marina Park, and go down to the Farmers’ Market. And I go to Sur La Table quite often, and the fish place over in Parkplace Center: Tim’s.