It’s been less than a year since Katrina Schmidt arrived at Bordley House Grille at Broad Run Golfer’s Club in West Chester, yet her creative mark is clear.
Katrina believes all it takes is real food to get genuine flavors. She honed her skills at Penn State University where she earned a restaurant management degree, and then at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, Calif. (in the heart of the Napa Valley).
Here’s a bit more about what makes Katrina the real deal:
1. You attended the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone; any chance we’ll see you in the kitchen one day?
I’ve already served my time in the kitchen and I’ve made my escape! I’ve worked every position up to line cook, so I have the background, but now I’m happy on the other side of the house. You’ll see my skills come through on the cocktail menu, where I can fuse my culinary knowledge with the bar offerings, like our garden-to-glass cocktails and our house-infused mixtures.
2. You’ve created the Bordley House Grille’s seasonal cocktails. When you’re chillin’, what’s your go-to drink: cocktail, beer, wine?
It all depends on the situation and the season! When I’m out, I choose whatever sounds the weirdest, most unusual … vegetables, spice … I’m game. We have a beet-infused vodka martini on the menu right now. But if I have to pick: you can’t go wrong with a great beer like Ithaca Flower Power or Tröegs Nugget Nectar.
When I’m in the mood for wine, bring on any big red from California and sauvignon blanc in the summer. My favorite cocktail right now is our Passion fruit Sangria: passion fruit puree, Absolut Gräpevine vodka plus Paradocx chardonnay.
3. What’s your favorite comfort meal to cook?
Thai red curry. I usually do a lot of vegetables—tons of vegetables—plus chicken and curry, with herbs and bean sprouts on top. I really love cooking Asian food, and there’s nothing better on a cold night than curry. OK, well, this time of year, a good pot roast would hit the spot, too.
4. Besides the Bordley House Grille’s fantastic executive chef Jamie Nafe, if you could have a meal with any chef, who would it be, and why?
Anthony Bourdain. (Note: She said that without a second’s hesitation.) He’s real. He’s not all about being a celebrity; he’s about the real passion of being the cook, about the nitty-gritty of what it means to be in the kitchen. And he looks like he’d be a helluva good time to hang out with, too.
5. If the end was near, what would be your last meal?
My ultimate favorite, all-around, would be Vietnamese Pho Noodle soup. It’s all the comfort of chicken noodle soup with all the awesome Asian flavors. Hands-down, my favorite international cuisine is Asian as it’s inspired by bright, in-your-face flavors.
Well I don’t know about you, but isn’t it time to get out and enjoy the spring weather, all while sipping a house-made cocktail? As luck would have it, happy hour at Bordley House Grille is Monday through Thursday, 5 to 6:30 p.m., and features $1 off appetizers and discounts on house drinks, draft beer, house wine (Paradocx) and well liquor. And while you’re enjoying, take a moment to get to know Katrina. You’ll be glad you did.
Find Katrina at Bordley House Grille at 1520 Tattersall Way in West Chester. Visit Bordley House Grille for more information.
Photographs credited to Butcher & Baker.
