We recently had the chance to connect with Ashley Brown and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ashley, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think we are misunderstood as a fine dining restaurant. People get intimidated by the term “Fine Dining” because they think its tiny crazy ingredients they’d pay an arm and a leg for. Which perhaps there are a small handful of restaurants that may do that. However yes, there are multiple courses served, but its about the story and the experience that’s more than just eating. When I create my menus at Four by Brother Luck, I think outside of the box but approachable. I don’t want guests to be afraid to eat my food. I try to keep ingredients in its most natural form because I think that is how Mother Nature intended it to be and i want to respect what she has provided us.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ashley Brown. I am the Chef de Cuisine at Four by Brother Luck in Colorado Springs Colorado. We showcase the many cultures and ingredients you can find in the four corners region, we change or menus by the season from winter, spring, summer and fall, all while giving respects to the hunter, fisher, gather, and farmer. I have been part of Four by Brother Luck for 5 years. My goal is to achieve a michelin star for this restaurant and to build great chefs while on this culinary journey of mine that I have wanted to pursue since I was a child.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child I was bullied, told I’d never do anything good or even ‘Be Somebody”. As I went on through my milestones I tried to show those people what I was capable of and tried to prove to them that I would in fact do great things. But the more mature and wiser I became, I realised I’d never see those people again, or have any contact with them, so I turned it around and showed myself what I was capable of from finishing school, becoming the chef I said I was going to be, to competing on Chopped, and now teaching the next generation of chefs.
I am doing so much more than my 7 year old self ever thought I’d do and if I was able to see through the future when I was a kid, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I almost gave up about 2 years ago. It was a rough time, I worked almost two straight months with no day off, Caterings were piling up, some team members wouldn’t want to work together, I only saw my kids when I took them to school or when they were already sleeping, the list goes on. There were moments I’d be driving home and I used that time to cry and scream because no one else was around and I wouldn’t scare anyone. But I haven’t lost a battle yet. so I asked myself why stop here? I have people that love me and want to see me happy. To anyone feeling like they want to give up… Dont. We need you here with us.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie being the most overworked gets you where you want to be. In the food industry, people try to one up another on whos most tired, who worked more hours, who slept in their car to “clopen” the next day, etc. We have got to stop telling each other that works… It doesn’t. You can’t take care of anyone else properly unless you take care of yourself first. It’s just like when your on a plane and you are told to put on the oxygen mask first before the person next to you. When you do get what you worked for, you’ll be too tired to enjoy the moment when they come.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is how much I wanted people to never feel alone or lost. No matter the amount of doubt they have in themselves that its ok to ask for help or to just sit back and reevaluate how they think. For example, I have a cook that served a great special for a weekend. When she was trying to plate it, she said “I suck at plating.” I said ” Change the word suck to something more constructive, like learning, or trying, or evolving.” Rethink and use different words to help yourself and others. We are constantly learning, with that comes failure, but what comes after failure? SUCCESS! I want to be remembered as someone who lifted others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fourbybrotherluck.com
- Instagram: @chef_browntown
- Linkedin: Ashley Brown
- Facebook: Ashley Brown
Image Credits
Most photos are done personally, except the Head shot of me in black chef coat which was taken by Dana Keith Film
