"It made us define exactly what Bluestem is," Megan Garrelts says, "And now we're looking for more opportunities to be creative, whether that's in the form of a new book or another restaurant."
That new restaurant is Native 34, a space focusing on "regional cuisine on a bit more casual scale," and it is in the planning stage.
"We're still in the fundraising process," Megan says. "Bluestem will not change. It will always stay there. It's just that our staff is growing, and we need to give them new opportunities."
Megan and Colby Garrelts celebrated the release of their cookbook (published by Andrews McMeel) last week with a Sunday-night dinner in which they cooked recipes straight out of the book.
"It's cool to hold it and see it. It's been amazing and challenging at every stage with each part of the book being a new adventure," Megan says.
Co-author Bonjwing Lee hopes that the book will have a reach that extends beyond Kansas City.
"The cookbook was written from a Midwest perspective, focusing on local ingredients, farmers and the community around the restaurant. So I imagine it will be most familiar to those who are from this area. However, I personally hope that the cookbook can serve as an ambassador, to have a wider reach, and draw more attention and interest inland from the coasts and elsewhere," Lee says.
Colby Garrelts and Lee worked together to try and find a way to translate Bluestem's techniques and dishes to a noncommercial kitchen.
"The most challenging part of this project was making the cookbook usable for the home cook while being faithful to the level of cooking you'd find at Bluestem," Lee says.
A book-release party, organized by Rainy Day Books, is tomorrow at Studio Dan Meiners (2500 W. Pennway). The cocktail reception and chat begin at 5:30 p.m. Admission costs $45 per person plus tax and includes a copy of the book. Colby and Megan Garrelts will be there to sign books.
"Kansas City is so supportive," Megan says. "Hopefully, we can work on another book one day, maybe a brunch book or a lounge book."
There is a holiday tea service at Bluestem on Saturday, and there's still space available. The tea service is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes finger sandwiches, pastries and tea. The tea is $25 per person, and reservations are required. Call 816-561-1101 to reserve a spot.
Showing 1-1 of 1
I got this a couple of weeks ago and it is a beautiful book. Haven't had a chance to cook from it yet, but it will be what I use to create our Christmas Eve dinner. Pretty accessible for the home chef...while the book itself is all "faincy" like something from Thomas Keller, there isn't anything where you're forced to cook three different recipes in order to obtain 2 tablespoons of something for a different recipe and then have no idea where to source sablefish jugular vein.
I have no shame when it comes to shilling for my favorite restaurants....so once again, congrats to Colby, Megan, and Bonjwing....may your various signings and dinners go smoothly this holiday season. Thanks for such a great cookbook, I look forward to getting some of this stuff on the plate!
like
dislike
