Satisfy your taste buds with Chef Gregory Gourdet

Gregory Gourdet is an American Haitian from Queens, New York, who now resides in Portland, Oregon. He studied pre-med at NYU. He also attended the University of Montana and graduated with a degree in French, but traded his scrubs and degree for a chef’s apron when he found his passion for cooking.

“When I was in college, I had to prepare my meals because I was too poor to eat out. I would cook things like pasta salads and spaghetti, something that was economically affordable,” said Gregory.  

Gregory’s cooking skills paid off when he competed on Bravo’s Top Chef Season 12 and was the runner-up. Gregory was inspired to become a chef because he enjoys learning about different cultures and localities and eating healthy. Gregory believes to be a good chef, you must be curious about food and want to explore other foods and ingredients.

When asked what qualities he believes make a good chef? This is what he said. “You have to have compassion, believe in the people around you, and lift your team.” Gregory has a love for people and gets pleasure out of being able to serve and inspire others. “One of my proudest moments is being able to provide opportunities for my team and see them grow,” said Gregory. 

Gregory has just opened a new restaurant in Southeast Portland, Oregon, called Kann where he serves traditional Haitian dishes.  Dishes such as whole grilled fish, Tomato, cherry, and berry salad, Griyo twice-cooked pork served with fried green plantains and pikliz, Smoked Beef Rib with Ti Malice (Haitian coffee and spice-rubbed, slow cooked), Peanut Creamed Greens (collards slow cooked with spiced tomato and peanut; honoring the enslaved West Africans who were brought to Haiti by the French), and Grilled Pineapple Upside Down Cake (a Haitian dessert classic) and all his meals are gluten-free.  

I was surprised to find out that Gregory considers himself an introvert and pretty much a loner. When he is not in the restaurant or doing business engagements, he enjoys spending time alone, running or working on his cookbook. Gregory loves to travel, and explore different foods, and focusing on being the best leader he can be. If you would like to know more about this amazing chef, you can follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gg30000 and get your eat on.