We recently had the chance to connect with Chef Ian Kleinman and have shared our conversation below.
Ian , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Every morning I go over my prep list for the week and go shopping at a few different places to buy product. The products are brought back to our commissary kitchen where I do prep for the week, including freeze-drying items. I then head over to our dessert shop and start by cleaning & organizing for service. I then do any candy prep needed, including edible teacups, everlasting Gobstoppers and edible wallpaper. Following candy prep, I perform six demonstrations for guests involving different sugar science themes including Colorado 2125, Taste of Colorado and our current program the Sugar Power – the AC/DC Battle.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
A native of Colorado, Chef Ian Kleinman found his calling to cuisine at the young age of seven in his father’s restaurant in Breckenridge, Colorado. The critically acclaimed chef and member of the Art Institute of Colorado Hall of Fame and Johnson & Wales Hall of Fame; Chef Ian Kleinman’s love of food and the whimsical has led him to become a leader & visionary in the Molecular Gastronomy field and to five coveted invitations to showcase his skills at the James Beard House in New York. In 2009, Chef Ian created Catering by The Inventing Room, a catering company focused on food as entertainment which creates unthinkable and impossible dishes that dazzle your imagination & tastebuds. Catering by The Inventing Room was awarded the Achievement of Excellence by the American Culinary Federation, one of only three operations in the United States selected for this award in 2014.
Chef Ian and The Inventing Room team were invited by the Dubai Tourism Board to participate in the 2015 International Food Festival in Dubai in a ten day food truck caravan. After experiencing an extraordinary response at the festival, Chef Ian and wife, Stacey, were inspired to open their first brick and mortar dessert shop in the heart of Denver. Inspired by the 1971 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory film, the experimental, whimsical dessert lab produces an array of magical treats—from glow-in-the-dark cotton candy to liquid-nitrogen ice cream sundaes—right in front of their guests.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I have always been a kid at heart. My childlike nature gives me an advantage in my job by being able to connect with my inner child. I am inspired by games, music, pop culture and trends from my childhood.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that holds me back is losing my business and not succeeding. It makes me work really hard and appreciate what I have. I always put myself in other people’s shoes so every decision is to do the right thing.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
People tend to overprotect their kids and not let them have life experiences to build their own character and self. Overprotecting children can hinder their development by limiting their opportunities to learn from exploration, mistakes, and new experiences. While it’s natural for parents to want to shield their children from harm, shielding them too much can prevent them from developing essential life skills and a strong sense of self. Instead of overprotecting, parents should strive to create a balance between safety and allowing children to explore, learn, and grow.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope I inspire people to always look at taking a risk to make yourself happy. It only takes one idea to build a legacy. I enjoy being a part of people’s memories through celebration and science.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tirdenver.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inventingroom/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinventingroomdenver
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@inventingroom9991
Image Credits
Stacey Kleinman
