Last autumn, Katrina Panoske helped launch The Studio Kitchen & Cocktails at Saint Kate. The Philippines-born chef brought her lifelong love of food and fellowship to the hotel’s new restaurant, which in just a few months has already become a buzzy Downtown dining destination.
When did cooking become a passion of yours?
In the Philippines where I come from, cooking is like a celebration. I always looked forward to the weekends when my mom and my dad would bring me to markets early in the morning to buy fresh food. Then we’d cook all day as a family.
The Studio has a wide-ranging menu, from sushi to pasta, and even a burger. How do you ensure everything is done well?
It’s a collaboration. A lot of minds were involved in creating this diverse menu, and we all have different specialties. No matter what idea we’re bringing to the table, the goal is always to execute it well. It has to be good or it doesn’t make the cut. By holding ourselves to a high standard, we make sure everything that is on the menu is delicious.
