{"id":70089,"date":"2017-02-25T12:24:39","date_gmt":"2017-02-25T17:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wanderlust.com\/?p=70089\/"},"modified":"2017-06-15T16:02:38","modified_gmt":"2017-06-15T20:02:38","slug":"meet-executive-chef-kevin-callaghan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderlust.com\/ja\/journal\/meet-executive-chef-kevin-callaghan\/","title":{"rendered":"Kevin Callaghan Translates the Ethos of Yoga to Food"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taste Chef Kevin’s delicious creations at a Wanderlust Festival this year! Learn More<\/a> | Get Tickets<\/a>. In the Los Angeles area? You can also catch Kevin during the Find Your True Fork dinner series on Thursday, July 27. For more information, click here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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Meet Kevin Callaghan, the Executive Chef and mastermind behind the Farm-to-Fork dinners at Wanderlust Festivals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In addition to his esteemed role as Wanderlust\u2019s Executive Chef<\/a>, Kevin is one of the nation\u2019s leading advocates of sustainable food and locals farms. His 10 years of experience in the restaurant industry, passion for seasonal cooking, and connection to traditional Southern cuisine has led him to numerous culinary successes. In 2016, Kevin was named by Lululemon as one of their American artists and taste-makers, and was just recently chosen as one of the company\u2019s official ambassadors as part of their community outreach program. This year he\u2019ll be opening his second restaurant, a sister to his acclaimed Acme Food & Beverage Co.<\/a> in Carrboro, North Carolina.<\/p>\n

Kevin first began partnering with Wanderlust during their first festival in Snowshoe, West Virginia<\/a>. It was important to find a chef who understood the power of using local ingredients along with a background in Southern cooking, and Kevin was the perfect fit. As of today, Kevin attends all the festivals to ensure consistency in all of the delicious meals served up at Wanderlust.<\/p>\n

“We\u2019re here to craft experiences for people that are intensely personal but undeniably communal.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When I spoke to Kevin, he talked about his partnership with Wanderlust with zest and enthusiasm, describing the role as being equal parts challenging and fun. His number one responsibility? Translating the values of Wanderlust to food. Kevin ensures that the food at festivals nourishes guests on both a physical and mental level.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoga has a strong set of values that people practice,\u201d Kevin says. \u201cExtending those same values to food is at the heart of what our job is. We\u2019re here to craft experiences for people that are intensely personal but undeniably communal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Which is, essentially, the purpose of yoga. When we come together to practice<\/a>, including at a Wanderlust Festival, we gather to nourish ourselves in a communal environment. We strive to share the goodness of our practice with those around us. And while the acts of meditation and yoga are undeniably internal, much can be gained by practicing yoga in a group. Kevin believes it\u2019s important to treat food in the same way; eating is a personal activity, but can be very rewarding and nourishing when done with a community. Often times eating with a group encourages us to practice presence.
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