What happens when an MBBA Innkeeper is a culinary-trained chef?
…You have an extraordinary Michigan Bed and Breakfast Experience!
Four MBBA innkeepers are a culinary-trained chefs
Four of our Quality Assured MBBA members are formally trained chefs, each with a fun story highlighted below. Whether you enjoy savory or sweet breakfast, these innkeepers have the formal training to create a bed and breakfast foodie experience like non-other. So follow along and book a stay at your favorite.
Chef Amy from the Kalamazoo House
When the online publication Eat This, Not That! published a survey entitled “The Best Bed and Breakfast” in every state; for Michigan, Kalamazoo House won the prestigious spot. Amy’s bio is quoted below,
“I was in my early 40s when I realized food is fun to eat and fun and gratifying to produce. A believer in “it’s never too late,” I made the decision to enroll in culinary school at the Art Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio in 2012. We lived in Columbus, OH, at the time, so a friend, also going to the same school, graciously invited me to stay with his family while I aggressively pursued an associate’s degree in less time. I proudly graduated Magna Cum Laude in late 2013 with a degree. I did some training as a Pastry Chef at Muirfield Country Club and New Albany Country Club in Ohio then worked as a baker/decorator for a few different bakeries, which led me to become a bakery manager. Again, “it’s never too late” Jeff and I decided to turn in our corporate life for a much better life. We collaborated on our resumes and became Innkeepers, managing an investor’s property out East for three years before purchasing The Kalamazoo House. We have owned and operated our B&B for a year and a half. My primary function is being the chef and everything that goes along with it. My Chef Instructors always told me that savory suits me better than sweet while I was in school. However, being an owner and chef of a B&B allows me the best of both. “
For more information and to book your stay check out this The Kalamazoo House’s full Listing
Allison from the Newton of Ypsilanti B&B
Allison recently purchased Newton of Ypsilanti with a dream to share her love of food with her guests. She is professionally trained in the nationally renowned culinary arts program at Schoolcraft College. And as quoted from Allision, “it was literally a dream come true. A culinary arts degree provided me with the tools to dream, plan, and execute what has been simmering for a long time”
After completing the program some years ago, she stayed on as an employee, spending time as head sous chef, doing R&D for culinary competitions & ultimately, the Master Chef exam of the American Culinary Foundation. Elements of this flavor development and intense research can be found in what she does every day.
Breakfasts at Newton of Ypsilanti are always fresh and thoughtful, using ingredients from local farmers and forgers. And directs from Allision, “I’ve had an instinct for food for my whole life, an obsession with high quality, a passion for experimenting with ingredients, and devotion to deep, complex, and global flavors.”
For more information and to book your stay at Newton of Ypsilanti check out Newton of Ypsilanti’s Full Listing.
Laura from the Glen Arbor B&B
Innkeeper Laura has quite a bio, and while she is not formally trained, I think we’ll all agree after reading the reviews about the food at Glen Arbor Bed and Breakfast that Laura should be featured in this blog. Laura’s thoughts on her background and what she loves about preparing breakfasts for the Glen Arbor guests are highlighted below.
“With a rich background in cooking professionally and then specializing as a Ship’s Cook on traditionally rigged sailing vessels (Tall Ships) for about ten years, I returned to the Traverse City area and was continuing doing recipe development and marketing and also teaching cooking classes. It was at a Rustic French cooking class I was teaching that I met Patricia Widmayer, past president of MBBA and co-owner of Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast. She scouted me out and urged me to throw my hat in the ring. Personality, organization, excellent executive functioning; an Innkeeper needs all these. My mad kitchen skills continue to be a highlight for our guests, but also make my role as Innkeeper enjoyable. The quiet early morning magic of making my sparkling kitchen into a delicious mess, yes! This is absolutely my favorite part of the day. Fixing toilets, untangling cable connections, giving mini-nature talks, emails, laundry, and glasses of wine with my super-cool guests; all command the better part of the day and probably a higher level of professionality. This said, starting the day with my first love of cooking is pure joy”
For more information and to book your stay at Glen Arbor B&B check out Glen Arbors Full Listing.
Tim from the Vintage Inn at Veritas Estate
Chef Tim was professionally trained and worked in the restaurant industry for years, all while having a dream to create a more intimate atmosphere for his clients to savor his hand-made food. That dream became a reality when he and his partner, Sherry, purchased the Vintage Inn at Veritas Estate. It was a match made in heaven as the 5 acre estate allowed the perfect space for Tim’s culinary gardens, and for the couple to have hen’s for fresh eggs for their bed and breakfast guests. Sherry is a trained sommelier, and they have planted new grape vines on the property, as well as fruit trees and beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. The couple serves intimate dinners for guests staying at the inn as well as wine-tasting events. Breakfasts are a special time at the inn and are served on the light-filled porch—farm-to-table at its finest with caring hosts and beautifully curated rooms in the historic farmhouse.
For more information and to book your stay check our Tim and Sherry’s Full Listing.
Which chef inspired inn is your favorite? We like to believe that while many of our #MichBnB members are not professionally trained chefs, you’ll find delicious and fresh breakfasts served at each member’s table.
