Gavin Kaysen: "Once You Learn to Cook, the Work Really Begins"

Gavin Kaysen is a mentor for the talented young chefs participating in the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition, providing indispensable advice, wisdom and support as one of the competition’s Seven Sages. As part of our Lessons Learned series of personal letters reflecting on the Sages' journeys, obstacles, failures and successes, Fine Dining Lovers asked the chef to share some of his wisdom with a younger version of himself.

Kaysen is the owner of Spoon and Stable Restaurant in Minneapolis, and was previously executive chef and director of culinary operations for Daniel Boulud, overseeing Cafe Boulud restaurants in Palm Beach, Toronto and New York City. In 2007, he represented the USA in the Bocuse d'Or competition.