For today’s FriendsEAT Chef Spotlight, we will be sharing with you our interview with Chef Alexa Lemley, the executive chef and owner of 240sweet and Artisan Foodworks. Here’s a little info on Chef Alexa, her businesses, and her philosophy on life.
Chef Alexa Lemley of 24sweet and Artisan Foodworks with her Beef Tenderloin Dish
FE: Describe the food that you serve at your catering business.
Alexa: New American with French and Asian influences.
FE: What makes your business stand out?
Alexa: Scratch-made items from an award-winning chef. 240sweet LLC is a family of food brands that include off-premise catering, confections, and concessions. Management of daily operations and recipe development. Divisions include 240sweet, Artisan Foodworks, and S’more Mobile.
FE: Where did you train (culinary school/stages)?
Alexa: I am the child of 2 chefs and grew up in the industry
FE: Did you grow up cooking or did cooking come to you later in life?
Alexa: I started cooking professionally at 14
FE: Who in your life influenced your cooking the most?
Alexa: My parents, Max and Christine Lemley.
Moroccan Stew by Chef Alexa Lemley
FE: What made you decide to become a chef?
Alexa: It was never a decision. It’s what I am.
FE: What misconceptions do people have when they first enter the culinary field?
Alexa: They don’t understand how long the days will be.
FE: What is the best cooking tip you can share for a novice?
Alexa: Read the recipe completely and assemble all ingredients before starting. Treat it like a checklist.
FE: What are your three favorite cooking tools?
Alexa: A sharp off-set spatula, metal kitchen tongs, immersion blender
Chef Alexa Lemley Won The American Dairy Association’s of Indiana Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese Cook Off
FE: What is the craziest thing that has happened in your kitchen?
Alexa: One time, a kitchen helper dressed up one of the whole dead pigs like a person and took pictures.
FE: What is your favorite ingredient to cook with and why?
Alexa: Sugar. It makes everything sweeter.
FE: When you’re home, what is your guilty food pleasure?
Alexa: Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (Which is super guilty since I won Grand Champion in the American Dairy Association Indiana’s Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese Cook-Off in 2015)
FE: What is your Favorite cookbook? (not your own).
Alexa: Joy of Cooking
Peking Duck Meatballs by Chef Alexa Lemley of 24sweet and Artisan Foodworks
Other than 240sweet and Artisan Foodworks, Chef Alexa Lemley manages other businesses like S’more Mobile and Little Pot Spirits.
Here’s a summary of Chef Alexa’s most notables accolades:
- Finalist in the Chef’s Taste Challenge Farm to Table Cook-Off to be held in New Orleans in August 2016.
- Winner “Best Sweet Dish”at the New York City Bacon and Beer Classic 2016.
- Overall Champion Denver Bacon and Beer Classic (now on to compete in World Food Championships Bacon division in November 2016).
- Artisan Foodworks named #3 of Top 5 Dinner Party Caterers by Indianapolis Monthly in December 2015.
- Winner “Peoples’ Choice Award”at the Indianapolis Bacon and Beer Classic 2015.
- Grand Champion in the American Dairy Association Indiana Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese Cook-Off 2015.
- Winner of “Most Creative”and “Best Gluten Free”for Popcorn and Lobster Soup at Indiana SoupFest 2015.
- Recognized by “Go Magazine”in 2011 and 2014 for being “hot”and outstanding woman entrepreneur.
- “Local Food Hero”Best Chef 2013 and Best Food Artisan 2012 and 2013 by Edible Indy Magazine.
- Received the Hoosier Hospitality Award 2013 by Indiana’s Lt Governor.
- Awarded the designation of “20 under 40″by Columbus Young Professionals in 2011.
- Inducted into Indiana Artisan in 2008 in recognition of the superior craftsmanship of our 240sweet marshmallows.
240sweet and Artisan Foodworks are both located at 9600 N US Highway 31, Columbus, Indiana 47201
Phone Number: (812) 3729898
Have you experienced Alexa’s places? Leave a review and check to see if there are 240Sweet coupons and Artisan Foodworks Coupons.