Ire Evans is the Chef / Owner of Green Cuisine Personal Chef Service in Denver, Colorado. She recounts being told she could not enter a culinary program because...she was too short. That fueled her fire as Ire is a self-proclaimed rebel and from her youth to today, she is surrounded by strong women. She gives us insights into some of the iconic dishes of Indonesian cuisine, such as Satay, Rendang and Nasi Goreng. We chat with one of her #UnsungHospitalityHeroes, Maggie Kates, who teases us with what it takes to be a Chef in Antarctica.

Website - greencuisinechef.com

Where are you from originally?

Jakarta, Indonesia

First job in the industry?

Waitress,  in 1983,  at the Mandarin Oriental in Jakarta, Indonesia at 19 years old.

Proudest moment of your career?

When I was voted as a Top 15 personal chef in Denver.

Two things most people don't know about you?

I used to sing in a vocal group in high school and I used to be a gymnast.

Food and/or drinks staples in your house?

Rice, tofu and chili sauce.

Words to live by?

“Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.” - Bruce Lee

My name is Ire Evans and I am a personal  chef as well as the owner of Green Cuisine Personal Chef Service. My love of cooking flourished at the age of eight when my grandmother and I would spend time together cooking for our family. Because of this, the act of cooking has always felt connected to sentiments of love, family, and community.

I decided to pursue my passion in the hospitality industry by moving from Indonesia to Denver to seek a degree in hotel management. I worked at the Marriott in Denver as well as the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Jakarta, a diamond star hotel. My culinary dreams were temporarily put on hold when my children were born since I elected to stay at home and take care of them.

When my children were old enough, I decided to pursue my personal chef certification from the Culinary Business Academy and start my own business. I always preferred to work behind the scenes. Owning my own business allowed me to build my vision of a service which prioritizes delicious, healthy, and fresh food that nourishes the body and soul. My Indonesian background coupled with my experiences in the restaurant business in the United States inspired me to offer a culturally diverse portfolio of dishes. I am versatile and able to adjust my services for a wide variety of diets and preferences. My experience as a mother of two wonderful children motivates me to create food that is fun and enjoyable for the whole family!

I am an avid member of the United States Personal Chef Association. I have dedicated my career to promoting the importance of healthy and fresh food for our children. I was highly involved in the creation of the school garden at the Challenge School, and have spent ample time teaching healthy cooking to kids in many Colorado schools. My efforts in this arena earned me the Winning Parent Hero Award from Action for Healthy Kids Colorado.