We had the good fortune of connecting with Kyle Kawamoto and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kyle, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My passion for food has always been the thrilling focus of my life!
When I reflect on where this passion began, I can’t help but remember the magic of my early childhood, where cooking and food were always at the center of each family gathering. Since then, I’ve dedicated the past decade of my career in search of the perfect avenue to share a bit of this magic with you all.
Graze in the Garden was born out of the dream to both transform ordinary gatherings into extraordinary celebrations, and bring people together through the power of food itself.
With a commitment to sourcing the best local ingredients we can get our hands on, we’ve had a special opportunity to partner with the incredible local farmers, cheesemakers, butchers, and small-batch bakers that make it all possible.
It’s all about creating memorable experiences, sparking joy, and elevating the art of event catering. We’re simply using cheese & charcuterie as the delicious vessel to do so!
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Graze in the Garden is LA’s newest and most vibrant grazing table caterer specializing in custom grazing tables as well as seasonal cheese & charcuterie boards. We also offer engaging and interactive group workshops that invite participants to explore the art of creating beautifully delicious and thoughtfully composed creations of their own.
Graze in the Garden is not just a catering business; it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the joy of food. What sets us apart is our commitment to sourcing the best local ingredients, collaborating with local farmers, cheesemakers, butchers, and small-batch bakers. This allows us to create beautifully curated grazing tables that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
The journey to where I am today has been both rewarding and challenging. Starting my own business was a dream I nurtured for years, but it required perseverance, hard work, and a willingness to learn from all of my career experiences. With over a decade of experience in the restaurant, event planning, catering and professional food styling industries, I’ve had the unique opportunity to harness my diverse experience and build something special. Along the way, I learned invaluable lessons about the importance of building relationships, staying true to my vision, and embracing my own creativity in every aspect of my work.
I want the world to know that Graze in the Garden is about more than just food; it’s about sparking joy and creating lasting memories through shared culinary experiences. Our brand embodies the magic of bringing people together, and I am dedicated to redefining the art of catering, one grazing display at a time.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
LA has such an amazingly diverse list of options for food, drinks, and places to meet with friends. I would definitely start the mornings off with a tour of LA’s best farmer’s markets.
Whether it be the famous Wednesday Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, Saturday Calabasas Farmer’s Market, or Sunday Hollywood Farmer’s Market, these foodie hotspots are overflowing with everything from seasonal produce & flowers to local small-batch breads & pastries to fresh caught seafood & farm fresh eggs.
The mornings wouldn’t be complete without a breakfast pastry or classic breakfast burrito. Sidecar Doughnuts, Tartine, Lodge Bread, and Wake & Late are great places to start. I would then coast through the afternoons with an awesome sandwich or burger. Some of my favorite spots would include Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery, Bread Head, Gjusta, and Bub & Grandma’s.
Now for dinner I’m quite biased… I wouldn’t be able to pass up Nobu Malibu at sunset. As the location of my first ever restaurant line cook job at the age of 17, I was in awe of the Japanese & Peruvian fusion menu and gorgeous beach views. The sushi is top of the line and you can’t pass up their dessert platters to finish off the night.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate this shoutout to my family and friends, whose support has been the backbone of my journey.
A special acknowledgment goes to my grandparents, who instilled in me a true love for cooking and sharing family recipes at every gathering. Their wisdom, traditions, and passion for the simplicity of good food has inspired me to create a business that not only celebrates delicious flavors but also fosters connection and joy among loved ones or even complete strangers.
Website: https://www.grazeinthegarden.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grazeinthegarden/