Prep cook Gael Gaubert is working hard, behind the scenes, to help keep the kitchen running smoothly. You can find Gael in the back making sure our locally sourced ingredients (like squash) are properly washed, carefully sliced, and meticulously portioned out for the Chefs.
We asked Gael a couple of fun questions to get to know him better, like what he does in his spare time, what’s on his bucket list, what his favorite dish at Corner Kitchen is, and more.
What’s your position and how long have you been at Corner Kitchen?
I’ve been working at Corner Kitchen now for a month and a half. I’m a prep cook. Hopefully I’ll move to the line soon enough.
Where are you from?
I’m from South France, Marseille. I grew up in the Caribbean and I moved to the US 20 years ago. I lived in San Francisco for 15 years, one year in New Orleans, and I’m going on to my fourth year in Asheville.
What brought you to Asheville?
COVID. I was working for Donald Link at Cochon, a celebrated chef of New Orleans. COVID hit, shadowed out the business, everything. A friend of mine had just bought a house in Asheville he was renovating so he invited us to come spend lockdown with him and work renovating his house.
Do you have any kids or pets?
I have one kid, Roman, he’s turning 13 in December. I have no pets. Unfortunately, we live in a small apartment, I travel a lot and we’re always working or at school. We would love a dog but it wouldn’t be fair considering how much time he would need to spend outside.
Have you always been in the service industry?
Yes, mostly. I did my culinary school in South France in 97. I traveled throughout Europe, like Switzerland, Spain, France and then moved to the Caribbean, where I was a bartender in St. Martin, before working in San Francisco as a server.
Do you miss France?
I don’t miss France at all. I like to go on vacation. After that, I got so used to the codes and ways of living in the US that I feel more at home here.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Asheville?
Right now I’m deep into golfing. I like to embrace the lifestyle. I love hiking, golfing, and hanging out. It’s a rich music scene, there’s a ton of good restaurants, and good people to meet.
What’s your favorite dish at Corner Kitchen?
It’s hard to choose what I like about the dishes here. It’s the attention to detail and the fact that everything is locally sourced. It’s hard to pinpoint one. Right now my favorite, I would have to say is the halibut on the menu. But, it’s hard for me to pick one.
What does your perfect day look like to you?
At work, it’s to make sure that everything goes well, everything goes smooth, that all the guests are satisfied, and to learn something new. Like today, Chef Paul showed me how to clean a halibut perfectly. That’s for me an ideal day, when I learn something new.
What’s one thing on your bucket list?
I would love to sail the Atlantic. I think It takes about a month and a half to two months.
