Street to open first restaurant
He’s worked for Al Brown and sampled food from all over the world, but Linden Fish & Chips still stirs strong memories for Kyle Street.
The former Tawa College and Whitireia Polytech student is juggling a lot of plates as the deadline draws near to the muchanticipated opening of his restaurant, Culprit, in Auckland.
The executive chef at Al Brown’s eateries Depot and Federal Delicatessen was described by the man himself as ‘‘someone I admire and trust implicitly’’.
Now he is striking out on his own and Wellingtonian Street said his job with Brown was more about managing staff and working in an office, but the opening of Culprit would mean being involved in the kitchen again.
‘‘We’re due to open October 11 and the preview event sold out, so it’s going very well,’’ Street said.
‘‘Myself and my business partner Jordan Macdonald are excited with what we’re creating and I’m looking forward to having that direct impact with staff and customers.
‘‘We don’t have a million dollar budget but we have an amazing space and the choices you can create on a restricted budget are more interesting.’’
Logan Brown, Depot and Federal Delicatessen are known for the incredible food served, but the simplicity of fish and chips still tickles Street’s tastebuds.
When he comes back to visit family, Linden Fish & Chips is often his first port of call.
‘‘I always stop in at what was my local chipper. It’s about that craving you had from your youth and that familiarity that makes it so special.’’
While at Whitireia, Street recalls washing dishes at Endzone Cafe & Bar on Main Rd, now Yeay’s House. He said he was an ‘‘upstart’’ student who was driven hard by his tutors who saw something in him.
Getting unpaid work experience at Logan Brown, set up by his tutors, set him on his way.
‘‘I was a pub boy, washing dishes. The chefs at Whitireia had worked in the industry and knew what was what and were patient with me. I think people see cooking at polytech as something you sort of fall into, but if you’re willing to work at it then you can go places.’’
Street said he was pleased to see one of his Whitireia classmates, Peter Gunn, getting a lot of publicity for his thriving career in Australia.