Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Whatever happened to Tim Kelley?

July 2

About a month ago, I’m pretty sure I saw Tim Kelley on the subway. I should have said hello, because I can’t figure out what he’s doing these days.
He was quite the hot number around the turn of the century, when he was the executive chef of The Painted Table in Seattle. Then he moved to New York to become chef of Zoë for about ten minutes before leaving to travel in Southeast Asia, from which he wrote a blog called The Runaway Chef, which has now vanished from cyberspace.
Do you happen to know what happened to him?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Funny you wrote this, I was just thinking about the same thing a few weeks ago!

Anonymous said...

WOW. I used to work with Tim at Bouley. I was a very funny guy with great talent. I would love to get in contact with him. Tim if you are out there, give me a call. David D "Bulldog" Go to Pizzazzgourmet.com to get contact info.

Bret Thorn said...

Come on Tim! The whole world is clamoring to know what you’re up to.
Well, okay, three people are, at least.

Richard Walsh said...

Make that four people very curios. I worked with Tim in Seattle. What a talent!

Anonymous said...

I also worked with Tim at the PT. These days I work in catering. I catered a party at the house of the guy who used to be the corporate executive chef for the Kimpton Group, which owned the PT. He's a friend of Tim's he told me that he was working as private chef for a family in NY, making six figures to cook for a handful of people every day. I can see how that'd be an advantage over making probably less to cook for hundreds of people every day.

Still I'd like to see him back on the scene again. When I worked for him, I could tell he had a real passion for the business, but I could also tell he was nearing that point where the passion burns you from the inside...

Bret Thorn said...

“where the passion burns you from the inside." Nice turn of phrase, anonymous #3! I bet cooking for a rich family can keep those coals burning, too, and I hear it’s nice to make six figures.
If Tim’s happy, I’m happy.

Unknown said...

I need Tim Kelley's email address so I can ask permission to publish one of his photos in a book about Northern Lao cooking. Does anyone know where I can contact him? My email address is d.culloty@internet.co.nz. Thanks

Ms. Hruby said...

what a mystery that young man is! I also worked with him during his Painted Table days in Seattle. He has fantastic taste in music as well as food. He's such fun. Wherever he is, I hope he's enjoying it. (But I would love to know where he is!)

Chris said...

Just stumbled upon this old post, as I was just wondering the exact same thing! I also worked with Tim at the PT in Seattle (as a consultant). I also spoke with him once briefly after he just left Zoe. At the time, he was private chefing for a well-known individual and his family in New York. Like everyone else, I was hoping he would return to the restaurant world one day! Brett, keep the search dogs looking, and I'll hope for a confirmed update one day soon!

Anonymous said...

In doing a search for his name and wondering the exact same thing as you all did, I too hope that Tim Kelley returns to the restaurant scene, although I can understand how much more stressful that would be than his current assignment. I met him when I was a journalist interviewing him for a potential story (15 years ago, I just realized), and his friendly demeanor and obvious talent were evident. I wish him well.

Christy S./Remlap, AL said...

http://pepperplacemarket-old.zeekeeinteractive.com/pages/schedule/september.php

Check it out: Chef Tim is down here in Birmingham, AL today!!

Isabella said...

Thanks for sharing your experience with us, I am a very funny guy with great talent. But what a mystery that young man is! I also worked with him during his Painted Table days in Seattle. He has fantastic taste in music as well as food. He's such fun. Wherever he is, I hope he's enjoying it.

Aculinarymind - Personal Chef Southampton NY

Ed Bayless said...

Yup, worked there (PT) with/for him… many stories to tell… selectively. Hope he landed safely and successfully.👊🏻