Issuu

F E B R UA RY 2 022 | TH E LO C A L LOV E I S S U E

A R T S + C U LTU R E

TH E ART O F WO O D CARV I NG AM A ZO N ARTIST IN RESIDENCE A PRIVATE GALLERY

ST E P S TO C LO S I N G

Max Rombakh M A N AG I N G B R O K E R W I N D E R M E R E R E A L E S TAT E

CELL EMAIL WEB

2 0 6 . 2 2 7. 0 7 3 7 M A X R @ W I N D E R M E R E .C O M M A X R O M B A K H .CO M

“

Our experience working with Max Rombakh was very refreshing. He is current and knowledgeable and extremely professional. He inspires confidence and made it very easy for us to trust his judgment and hand over the sale of our home to him. True to his word, he was engaged, available and responsive throughout the entire process. I have to say Max embodies the spirit of the broker of the future, combining professionalism with heart.” S E L L E R , Z I L LO W

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Arts + Makers

February 2022 PUBLISHER

Caitlin Agnew | caitlin.agnew@citylifestyle.com EDITOR IAL COOR DINATOR

Taylor Robinson | taylor.robinson@citylifestyle.com

In our February’s Art issue last year, I shared my personal discovery of a new passion for painting, and because of that article and the community’s response, my art journey has continued to grow and surprise me. The photo above is some of my work created for a collaboration with Jaine Winery this past Spring, and come next Spring I’ll be featured in NYB Gallery with a whole new series of work (details to come). My hope is that the artists featured in this year’s issue have a similar experience, and that our community continues to support the arts and the creatives who are willing and wanting to put themselves out there. This month’s issue is dedicated to sharing about local makers and artists in our area. As you read about a few local artisans in our community and their stories of passion and self-expression, we hope you are inspired to pursue what you love. It is easy to let our hobbies, talents and special interests fall by the wayside. We just have to be deliberate about allowing ourselves time to pour into interests that we love and that fill us up. What have you been creating lately? Share it with us at Bellevue@ citylifestyle.com. Can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to!

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Max Baker | max.baker@citylifestyle.com AD DESIGNER

Mary Albers LAYOUT DESIGNER

Kelsey Proctor CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Heija Nunn CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Life N Light, Ben Lindbloom

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

C A ITLI N AG N E W, PU B LISH E R @BELLEVUELIFESTYLE

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER Bruce Ianni DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Bellevue Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Bellevue area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Bellevue Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Recent sales in Bellevue & Kirkland

Mark von der Burg

Your home. Our mission.

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

inside the issue The Local Love Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

20 Amazon Artists in Residence

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

24 The Art of Wood Carving

Business Monthly

Inspired By

Artist’s Palette

Must See

Locals Only

Healthy Lifestyle FO O D

Culinary Creations

An Interview with Aleph Geddis

32 A Private Gallery

Hall Spassov Offers an Intimate Experience for Art Collectors

46 Cocktail Club

This Valentine’s Day Toast with your Boo.

O N T H E C OV E R

Wood Carver Aleph Geddis

A RTS + C U LT U R E A RTS + C U LT U R E

A RTS + C U LT U R E LI FE + C U LT U R E + B E V E R AG E

FO O D + B E V E R AG E

Recent sales in Sammamish, Issaquah, Woodinville, and Redmond

VDB | Compass sets the standard for service and sales in luxury properties. Whether you’re buying or selling a classic Northwest estate, waterfront property, urban penthouse or equestrian manor, VDB | Compass is the first name in PNW premier real estate. Mark works diligently and earnestly

Mark von der Burg First Founding Broker | Compass Seattle

each day to approach client’s real

mark@vdbcompass.com

estate needs with uncompromising

206.245.9185 Seattle

integrity, the hallmark of his stellar

425.882.8821 Eastside

reputation. vdbcompass.com

F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen in the city. 1

1: The Bellevue and Kirkland Lifestyle team came together to celebrate the holidays at Carmine's - Bellevue! 2: Writer, Heija Nunn (right), with Easton Lemos (left) of Life N Light. 3: Bellevue and Kirkland Lifestyle publisher, Caitlin, with husband Max Baker. 4: Editorial Coordinator, Taylor Robinson (center), with Jaylen Hendrickson (left) and Riley Woods (right) of Life N Light 5: Thank you from the Bellevue Lifestyle team to all of our readers for another great year!

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your social media photos with @BellevueLifestyle

C I T Y SC E N E

Curated. Crafted. Collectable.

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The name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. The name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © 2020 Bentley Motors Inc. Model shown: Continental GT V8 Mulliner. © 2020 Bentley Motors Inc. Model shown: Continental GT V8 Mulliner.

BentleySeattle.com BentleySeattle.com 425-646-3111 425-646-3111

F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi, crowned “Most Romantic Restaurant in the World” by Architectural Digest. The award-winning, fine-dining restaurant will be offering a supplemental menu to toast to the amorous occasion all weekend long, with specialty cocktails and exceptional wine pairings to elevate the intimate experience. For more details, visit ascendprime.com.

The Seattle Wedding Show is Back Again on February 19th & 20th The Seattle Wedding Show provides engaged couples the opportunity to visit with over 300 wedding experts dedicated to providing valuable insight into planning your dream day. Fabulous gown sale and stunning fashion show. See all the essential and the ‘not so essential’ ideas to create your desired atmosphere within your budget. Your wedding is uniquely yours, whether you’re planning a formal event, a backyard BBQ , or something in between, you’ll find it here! Visit Weddingshow.com.

2022 the Year of the Tiger Celebrate the Year of Tiger with wishes for good fortune and good health. Gather with family and friends to celebrate traditions during this season. Tune in for a virtual presentation of a lion dance, performances, crafts and more. Visit Bellevue Square to see an array of cultural information and décor beginning January 17, 2022. For more information, visit bellevuecollection.com/lunarnewyear.

If you want to be included, send us a message! Visit CityLifestyle.com/BellevueWA to get in touch.

CONTINUED >

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Alyson McCrink Fine Art At The Northwest Flower And Garden Festival Local artist, Alyson McCrink will be unveiling her newest artwork at the Northwest Flower And Garden Festival. This year, the festival will celebrate “Greetings from Spring”, with over 20 display gardens, more than 90 free seminars and workshops, and thousands of treasures in the garden marketplace. The festival is the best annual event to gather ideas and inspiration for beautiful living spaces, indoors and out. Alyson will be showing her work at booth number 519.

If you want to be included, send us a message! Visit CityLifestyle.com/BellevueWA to get in touch.

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

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Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series announced that Bellevue, WA has become the new host venue for the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series Washington in 2022. The event is scheduled to take place on September 3-4, 2022 and will include a half marathon, 5K distance and KiDSROCK, replacing Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle. Visit runrocknroll.com/washington for more information and registration.

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E V UE WA

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I NSP IR E D BY | A RTS + CULTURE

Amazon Artist in Residence ARTICLE BY HEIJA NUNN

Art by Haein Kang

Haein Kang is a science and technology artist, and Ben Zamora is known for his large scale light-based installations and sculpture. Their forward thinking work is right at home in this tech town, yet the pandemic caused everyone, and every industry, to rethink, test fresh ideas and evolve. Amazon’s Artist in Residence program and the Expressions Studios in Bellevue and Seattle provided safe space for Kang and Zamora to do just that. Launched in 2018, the Artist in Residence program (AIR) selects a group of local artists each year to spend ten weeks using the Seattle, or recently completed Bellevue studio as their own. The residency comes with a $15,000 grant supplying necessary resources to take advantage of the time and space the program provides. The appreciation of “time and space” is a common thread in the feedback Christine Phelan, Senior Program Manager of the Expressions program, hears from the artists. Amazon developed the program to achieve dual goals; support local artists and to create an employee amenity meant to encourage creativity, community and innovation. When resident artists

interact with employees through labs and workshops and opportunities to work with their hands, the experience can feel meditative, restorative and fuel leadership. The presence of artists and exhibits of art on campus drives curiosity and leads employees to deeper community engagement. Ben Zamora started out doing work to support other people; including opera and theater design but was determined to find his solo path when he had a child on the way. Now his big and bold work is internationally recognized and widely exhibited. When he responded to the call for AIR applications through Artist’s Trust, his pitch had more questions than answers. Including the existential, “What are we even doing, anyways?” As a Seattle resident, living on Capitol Hill, Zamora has felt the impact of Amazon and noticed “a level of displacement.” It was part of the conversation he wanted to have for the creative community, “How do you see that relationship moving forward?” Along with questions, the pandemic had Zamora rethinking his art and wondering how to create more intimate one-on-one experiences. He needed to find a way to translate CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E V UE WA

Artist Haein Kang

Artist Ben Zamora

I NSP IR E D BY | A RTS + CULTURE

his large scale, often outdoor installations. By the time he came to the Expressions Studio he had a clear idea of what he wanted to do, but he says, “I hadn’t learned the lessons of working at that (smaller) scale. It was good.” He worked in studio four or five days a week from 9am-4pm and in the end craved more time. Memorable art makes you think. Haien Kang makes award-winning art out of thinking. After completing her Ph.D. at the University of Washington, she settled in the Pacific Northwest because she finds inspiration and energy in the combination of nature and high tech. Kang was attracted to the AIR program as a means of breaking the isolation of Covid. She longed for interaction and the opportunity to “educate employees and allow studio tours to explain my projects,” was an attractive impetus to apply for the residency which she completed at the brand new Bellevue Expressions Studios. Working on a smaller scale meant she had to expand her scientific explorations of the connection between emotions and brainwaves from stage work, to devising individual immersive environments that still allow people to face their fear, anxiety, hope and other feelings through artistic value. Kang creates algorithm for brainwaves that control the images in the aesthetic experiences she prepares, morphing between abstract and realistic depending on the viewers state of concentration. “I am grateful for this chance in this strange time when many things were postponed.” Kang says in reflection on visitors to her studio, “I wish they learned a lot, I learned a lot from them.” In 2022 the Artist in Residence program will expand from five to seven artists, four of whom will use the Bellevue space. The Expressions program continues to look for ways to support the local arts community in alignment with Amazon values and commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion, “Including by partnering with Amazon Affinity Groups to internally review and select artists for each incoming residence. We actively recruit artists from diverse backgrounds to build a supportive and inclusive program,” says Phelan. They are still exploring how to display the art each resident contributes to the Amazon collection.

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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

The Art of Wood Carving AN INTERVIEW WITH ALEPH GEDDIS

With an appreciation of geometry, Northwest Coast Native art, world travels, and family mentors, local woodcarver Aleph Geddis has cultivated an artistic journey true to his inner calling. You may have seen his impressive one-of-a-kind 18.5 ft piece of art at the flagship Filson retail store in Seattle, but that’s just one of his many impressive creations. As an artist, he prides himself in staying true to his creative vision without compromise and finds value in taking time for each step of the process. “I think this day in age, with so many distractions, making something with your hands and being present with that process is so important. It always brings me to my center and makes everything ok,” says Geddis. Bellevue Lifestyle caught up with him to learn more about what inspires and draws him to his craft. CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E V UE WA

“Growing up in the Pacific Northwest I have always been drawn to native art. I especially love all the mix of animal and human characters; they are so magical and evoke so much feeling.”

Tell us about your artist journey. I was lucky enough to have my mom marry a very talented woodcarver and wooden boat builder. I grew up in and around the carving shed, mostly making swords and other playful objects. I started sculpting with bees wax at an early age in Waldorf school. The impermanence of the substrate helped me focus on the process more so than the final piece due to that once complete, all the wax could be reused for the next project. I always loved to sculpt but never knew that carving was going to be my main area of focus. When I was 19, my dad taught my friends and I a carving class and it turned out that I had a knack for it. I was instantly inspired and dove in full force. At the time my dad needed an apprentice to help him with his bird carving, so I started working with him full time. For many years I worked alongside him helping him with his commissions, mostly carving realistic flora and fauna. At the same time, I also began my study of geometry, mostly the platonic solids and how to make them out of wood. Since then, I have been slowly going more and more into the abstract

using the structural building blocks of the geometry. I am on a never-ending search for the balance between structure and fluidity, the hard and the soft. Wood has always been my favorite medium to work in mostly because of the feeling of the chip coming off as a sharp blade cuts through the wood. It is such an intimate process with each wood having different qualities. You created an 18.5 ft piece of art for Filson’s retail store in Seattle. Tell us about your appreciation of Northwest Native art and how it influences you. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest I have always been drawn to native art. I especially love all the mix of animal and human characters; they are so magical and evoke so much feeling. Early in my artist path I studied northwest coast native art and was fully consumed by it. There is a sense of form and relationship between the compound curves that is very special. The steps I learned to carve early on my artist path are still the process I use to carve my abstract and geometric pieces currently.

CONTINUED >

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E V UE WA

What is your process when starting a new project? I start a project with lots of drawing, though drawing does not come naturally. I think more 3d and learned to draw in order to make my sculptures that I had in my head. In making a big project, after my preliminary drawings, I then carve a scale model. That way, I learn the steps to be taken on the full-sized piece. I have different areas of study and each new piece is informed by the previous works. It’s like I have different story lines that continue to grow and evolve but building from the previous characters. With my new works it feels like I am learning a new language and like I am just now learning to write. What and who inspires you? I am inspired by process and love to watch people making things by hand and the steps they go through to create. I look at a lot of sculpture from the mid-century and just before. I discovered Brancusi after I already started carving geometric totem poles. I love his raw yet refined style; he was way ahead of his time. I am really inspired by West African textiles and masks, like those of the Dogan tribe. My stepdad has been a huge influence on me and is a big part of who I am as an artist. His open-door policy with the carving shed and the way he shares everything he knows so freely is really inspiring. I am very grateful for the time I was lucky enough to spend with Duane Pasco. His process and focus are impeccable, he finishes one step completely before moving onto the next. It sounds simple but is not always easy. What challenges do you experience in your artistic journey? The most challenging part of the artist path for me is finding the balance of making an income and being true to my art without compromise. Doing a lot of commission work early on with my dad, and sometimes almost feeling like a surrogate artist, lead me to be very selective in making pieces for people. I only make pieces that I am inspired to make and what I would already want to make without the commission. I have been lucky enough to have a lot of support on my path by people who get what I am doing. Describe your style. I really don’t know how to describe my style. If you found one of my pieces buried in the dirt, I would want you to not know if it was from the future or the past. An ancient future of sorts. I want you to see that it was made by a human and feel that energy in it. My recent works I see as place holders. They are meant to ground and center, and then transport you from that space into new uncharted territories. You can find Aleph’s work at Glasswing in Seattle and The Window in LA. He is also starting to do “secret sales.” Find him online to be in the know at alephgeddis.com.

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

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A Private Galler y

Hall Spassov studio gallery on the owners home property in Bellevue

M UST SE E | A RTS + CU LTURE

HALL SPASSOV OFFERS AN INTIMATE EXPERIENCE FOR ART COLLECTORS

Hall Spassov Gallery started in 2006 at owners Erik Hall and Amy Spassov’s downtown Bellevue studio. In 2009, they moved into a gallery located on 8th and Bellevue Way, where they stayed until shortly after their daughter was born in 2018. They enjoyed their time at this location as a cultural anchor in Bellevue and were proud of the efforts they made in placing important work into worthy collections. Today, just as it began, their gallery studio is located on their private property in Bellevue. The gallery’s focus is primarily on national art fairs, including the Seattle Art Fair. They represent contemporary, non-decorative works by emerging and mid-career artists, from as far away as Barcelona to right here in the Seattle area. CONTINUED >

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Owners and artists, Amy Spassov and Erik Hall

Both owners have a history of creative endeavors that led them to opening their gallery. Erik Hall began his career in art with an exhibit at Kimzey Miller Gallery in 2001. Hall had exhibits each September through 2005 when gallery owner Terry Miller suddenly passed. Having lost his primary representation and wanting to control his own destiny Hall, along with Amy Spassov, opened Hall Spassov Gallery. Amy Spassov began her career in art around 2004 with a series of small exhibitions that included work she produced during her travels around the world. This work was the foundation for nearly all of her work since and has garnered her international recognition. Motivated to provide a steady path for her own work and help other artists on their path, partnering in the gallery was a natural choice. Bellevue Lifestyle caught up with Amy and Erik to learn more about their studio and what they’ve been working on lately. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BUILD A STUDIO ON YOUR PROPERTY? A high-rise condo now sits where our downtown studio was once located. Out of desire to not be displaced again we designed our own. In 2017 we built our new studio over a cruel winter. We put in every nail and built and installed every cabinet. Each detail was overseen by us to suit our needs.

M UST SE E | A RTS + CU LTURE

HOW OFTEN DO YOU ROTATE EXHIBITS? We rotate exhibits less frequently than we used to. Our attention has been on working with corporate clients and participating in art fairs to gain a wider audience while still being able to take care of our great local collectors. TELL US ABOUT THE COLLABORATIVE PAINTINGS YOU’VE BEEN WORKING ON. We believe it was inevitable that we would collaborate on work, it just took us 15 years to hone our individual skills and figure out a direction. We also didn’t want to do it just to do it, it had to have purpose and intention. Quarantining through a pandemic and canceled art fairs certainly gave us an opportunity. We will debut the first piece at Art Market San Francisco and a full suite of works at the Seattle Art Fair in 2022.

Amy and Erik welcome appointments, and you can subscribe to their mailing list at website hallspassov.com. For artist information, find them on Instagram: @artboythirteen @amy_spassov @hallspassov

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E V UE WA

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Writing Life

BOOKS BY LOCAL AUTHORS TO ADD TO YOUR 2022 READING LIST

ARTICLE BY HEIJA NUNN

Robbie Bach The Wilkes Insurrection Robbie Bach practiced the art of storytelling while in the business of creating video games. During a long career at Microsoft, he served as President of Xbox where he learned the importance of well-developed characters, dynamic dialog and perfect pacing. Bach says, “It’s just like writing a novel, except it requires great technical skill too!” After completing his first book, Xbox Revisited, he decided to dive into fiction with a contemporary thriller. In The Wilkes Insurrection, Major Tamika Smith and an unlikely collection of committed Americans must answer a fundamental question: how far would you go to save what you love? “The very first thing I did when I sat down to write the initial words of The Wilkes Insurrection was to establish three clear goals: 1) Develop a compelling story that was worthy of the genre; 2) Write great plot lines and characters because the art matters; 3) Deliver a powerful message because impact is the ultimate measure of success.” Influenced by his strong love for our communities and country, Bach developed The Wilkes Insurrection as an action-fueled twister that reflects the challenging times we live in, but also connects back to his home environs with easter eggs that nod to Bellevue neighbors and pacific northwest culture, including, he says, “a key scene at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, an appearance by the ‘Legion of Boom,’ an homage to Senator Patty Murray and I could not resist including an Xbox reference.”

LOCA LS ON LY | L IFE + CULTURE

Kim Brown Seely Uncharted Nearly everyone daydreams about chasing wild hares or risking it all for a big adventure. Kim Brown Seely went a step further, in the ultimate flex, she not only leaped at the chance for adventure, she decided to write about it armed with unflinching honesty and award-winning talent honed through her years in publishing as an editor, journalist, and travel writer. In her first book, Uncharted, she takes readers along for a choppy ride as she and her husband embark on a sailing adventure and search for a mythical creature (insert your own obvious joke about teenagers here) that marks the end of their days as hands on parents and the beginning of a new figurative and spiritual journey. Seely says, “My goal was to try and capture what it felt like being on Northwest waters as novice sailors, to convey the wildness of the northwest coast in all its weather and various moods – and of course, to write a beautiful book that people might not only want to read, but be inspired by.” She loves hearing from readers who tell her about their own empty-nest adventures because “Freedom takes many forms!” Uncharted, also covers familiar ground, “Since both my boys went through Bellevue Public Schools (Cherry Crest, Chinook, and Bellevue High), there are references to those years, to the lives of all us moms and dads driving early morning carpools, and to the distinct culture every family creates. And if (Bellevue Lifestyle) readers have ever wondered what it feels like to provision a sailboat for weeks of coastal cruising, untie from a dock, and point yourself north to explore the watery wildernesses we’re surrounded by in Bellevue and Seattle, they’ll recognize that too.” FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E V UE WA

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Michael S. Matthews Managing Director– Wealth Management m.matthews@ubs.com 425-451-2350

advisors.ubs.com/thematthewsgroup Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list is comprised of approximately 5,200 financial advisors. It was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to measure factors such as quality of practice, industry experience, compliance record, assets under management (which vary from state to state) and revenue. Neither UBS Financial Services Inc. nor its employees pay a fee in exchange for these ratings. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that clients understand the ways in which we conduct business, that they carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to them about the products or services we offer. For more information, please review the PDF document at ubs.com/relationshipsummary. Private Wealth Management is a division within UBS Financial Services Inc., which is a subsidiary of UBS AG. © UBS 2021. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. CJ-UBS-1873873324 IS2101037 Exp.: 10/31/2022

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Br i ng i ng Joy B ack i nt o t he K it chen

CHEF DENNIS PRESCOTT TALKS FALLING IN LOVE WITH FEEDING PEOPLE AND THE CONNECTION FOOD CREATES

WHETHER

YOU

KNOW

HIM

FROM

THE

NETFLIX

HIT

RESTAURANTS ON THE EDGE OR FROM HIS ABSOLUTELY MOUTH-WATERING FOOD PHOTOS AS @DENNISTHEPRESCOTT ON THE ‘GRAM, THIS FORMER-MUSICIAN TURNED INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED CHEF IS AN AMAZINGLY TALENTED, THOUGHTFUL, AND GLOBE-TROTTING FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. When it comes to inspiration for creating experiences around food and your community, as well as creating travel bucket lists to some of the world’s most unique and delicious destinations off the

F i nd t he t h i n g s t h at you love . Ta ke t he s t r e s s ou t of fo o d . Fe e d p e ople b e c au s e a l l t he y r e a l l y c a r e a b ou t i s s p end i n g t i me w it h you . Br i n g joy b ack i nt o t he k it chen .”

beaten path, Chef ‘Dennis The Prescott’ is a culinary change maker whose feed you’ll want to feast on Originally an aspiring musician, Canadian-born Dennis Prescott’s journey began while in university with a single invitation from another solo musician who asked him to tour with them around the US. This eventually took him to Nashville where they began making records and pursuing their musical dreams. Yet, in the midst of all of this, Dennis was not taking care of himself — eating take out, dollar menus, etc, had become a way of life. A friend had a “come to Jesus” moment with him and stressed that he needed to start taking care of himself. Having no idea exactly what that meant or how to do so, the advice was simple: “You need to start eating better.”

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

The St a r t “Go to the library and borrow some cookbooks,” his friend suggested. Dennis went to a nearby library and borrowed three books only to have his friend ask why he chose those in particular. Dennis remembers saying verbatim, “I don’t know? The guy on the cover looks kinda good looking, and I feel like I could probably pull these recipes off, and he seems really happy too!” As it turned out they were three books by Jamie Oliver; it’s just that he had no idea who Jamie Oliver was at the time. Flash forward and Dennis’ first dinner-hosting experiment was made up of twenty people from the music studio, all sitting in camping chairs with beer koozies and makeshift tables in his apartment. “I remember at the time this moment of, okay, the food is on the table, it’s a stressful thing, and then everybody tucks in and they take their first bite, and there’s a moment of hush that kind of came over everyone; it got really quiet just for a second, and then everyone started talking and getting into it and I fell in love with food right there at that moment. What eventually followed were 13 episodes over nine months where the Restaurants on the Edge team traveled to and filmed restaurant revivals that included three in Canada, one in the continental US, one in Hawaii, and others outside of North America, including Hong Kong, Slovenia, Austria, Malta, St. Lucia and Finland. CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E V UE WA

“ W hen you get of f t he b e at en pat h a l it t le bit , you le a r n t he d i f fer enc e b et we en v ac at ion a nd t r avel .

T r avel R ecom mend at ion s for Food ies “Slovenia borders Italy and Croatia, which is to say there are a lot of shared values in and around food; they have really great cheese, dairy, beef, pasta, but very few tourists, hardly any. So if you love Italy, that kind of specific travel and food experience, particularly Northern Italy, because you can see the Alps from where they are. It’s picture perfect, a beautiful place, and also where orange wine is from.” Dennis also highly recommends Costa Rica, Hawaii and Finland. “Most people love the idea of travel, but we tend to pick the same places when we travel, and there is nothing wrong with that, they are amazing for a reason, but when you get off the beaten path a little bit, you learn the difference between vacation and travel.” Restaurants on the Edge is important and meaningful to Chef Prescott because it tells stories of hope and joy and redemption around the kitchen. Oftentimes the food space can be very stressful, but he believes that at the end of the day, people just want to spend time with other people that they love. One of the most common fears Dennis hears from people cooking and/or grilling at home is, ‘where do I start? I don’t know how to get going, so I just don’t.’ Rather than overcomplicating it, Dennis recommends cooking the things that bring you joy — things that are on a restaurant menu you can’t NOT order because you’re so pumped that those dishes are on there. “Find the things that you love. Take the stress out of food. Feed people because all they really care about is spending time with you. Bring joy back into the kitchen.”

S c a n fo r t h e f u l l article online. 44

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Cafe Cesura coffee in bellevue

est. 2011

Open Thurs. - Sun. for wine tastings JAINE.CO 14421 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE Woodinville, WA 98072

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E L L E V UE WA

Cocktail Club This Valentine’s Day Toast with your Boo with this Delish Cocktail by Daniel’s Broiler.

THE PHOENIX INGREDIENTS 1 ½ oz Makers 46 ½ ozMaple Syrup ½ ozOrange Juice 1 barspoon Balsamic Vinegar ¾ oz Smoked Fig Preserves

INSTRUCTIONS To make smoked fig syrup: Empty 2 jars of fig preserves into sauce pan. Add equal Amount of hot water. Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain through micro strainer. Pour syrup into shallow pan, cover with Saran wrap. If available, smoke with smoking gun. Add all ingredients together in cocktail mixer. Shake and strain into glass filled with ice.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIFE N LIGHT

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

Architect Jim Dearth with Ripple Design designer Marian Simon