In Conversation With The Kitchen’s Chef Hugo Matheson, Colorado

Culture Trip

Both Chef and Co-Founder of The Kitchen in Boulder, Hugo Matheson certainly has a lot on his plate. His talent and perseverance have taken him from London to Colorado. After covering The Kitchen in our article on Boulder’s 10 best restaurants, we decided to speak to Chef Matheson and discover more about him and his views on food.

Chef Hugo Matheson

Why did you pick Boulder as the location for The Kitchen?

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Boulder is where I was living and starting a family when I met Kimbal Musk, my co-founder, when we decided to start The Kitchen in downtown Boulder over 10 years ago in 2004.

The Kitchen

What dish did you create that you were most proud of?

I would say the winter squash with chickpeas and wheat berries from Farmer John Ellis. It’s vegetarian but is eaten as much by carnivores – love a bit of meat, but not too much!

The Kitchen Interior

What can we expect from The Kitchen in the near future?

The Kitchen is a growing family of restaurants and we are thrilled to have recently expanded across Colorado into new communities including Glendale, Union Station, Fort Collins and, opening in late October, into the Chicago community. Our non-profit, The Kitchen Community, is reaching over 100,000 children with Learning Gardens in schools across the country and we are expanding to reach thousands of more kids this school year and beyond.

Shrimp & Corn Special

What’s one of the most memorable dishes you’ve ever had, and where did you have it?

Salt-baked bass at La Pinéde in Cap d’Ail (France). It was a dinner on my own while driving through Europe. It’s a memory that lives on.

Wisdom Farm Chicken with Garlic Fries

When you have time to eat out, where is your favourite place to dine in Boulder?

When not eating at home or work I sneak in dinner at the bar at Frasca. It’s the perfect little escape.
For the best drinks in Boulder, head to…

I drink water all day long nowadays but Brian at Oak makes some fine bitters to liven up my Pellegrino! Oak has a great cocktail program. I also like our shop, The Kitchen Upstairs.

Green Salad

What’s your go-to place for local cuisine, and what would you order?

Black Cat. Although sadly I have not been in a while, Eric Skokan is a chef and farmer. I take my hat off to people who take on an entire farm while also running a restaurant. Between running the farm and restaurant he even wrote a book Farm Fork Food. He’s crazy to do all of that at once and I really admire him!

Affogato

An exciting new arrival to the local food scene?

Excited to see Blackbelly opening. Hosea is going from a mobile unit to bricks and mortar.
In Boulder, culture lovers need to…
Slow down walk the streets. Catch a show at BMOCA or CU Art Museum. Sit out at Boxcar on the East end of Pearl St. to watch the people, and on the West end of Pearl St. watch the changing hills outside Spruce Confections.
The Kitchen, 1039 Pearl St, Boulder, CO, USA, +1 303-544-5973

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2 years.

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It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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