Kris Lowe: A Singing Chef

Posted on December 21, 2020 by Alix Cohen in Playing Around

Vocalist Kristoffer Lowe has garnered two MAC Awards (Manhattan Association of Cabarets), a Bistro Award, and Mabel Mercer Foundation’s Julie Wilson Award. Broadway World wrote: Kristoffer Lowe, though classically trained in opera, once again proved that the power and richness of his voice could shine in the cabaret world, as well…There is a richness to his voice that is undeniable.

Lowe is also a self-taught chef. Raised in Alabama on what he calls “housewife-country-meat-and-potatoes,” he arrived in New York in 1998 in search of a career. Having to cook for himself, the performer sought “flavors other than salt and pepper” at non-restaurant prices he could afford. The Food Network and Julia Child (“I like butter”) on PBS, then videos rented from The Library of The Performing Arts taught techniques and knife skills, the rest came by way of trial and error.

**Candied Beet and Goat Cheese Crostini**

Lowe calls himself “a pretty good mimic” alluding to his skill at watching and repeating recipes. “It was always helpful as an actor as well,” he adds. Nor does it hurt to have a finely honed sense of visual aesthetics.

After a succession of sublets, Lowe settled in 2004 and finally began to purchase his own cookware. He makes American and Continental food, starting with something he’s seen, then experimenting with components to develop new flavors. Extremely fit, he shies away from deep fried dishes more because it takes too much expensive, hard-to-dispose-of oil than for health reasons. He’s a catering waiter between engagements and gets ideas for hors d’oeuvres from events, then experiments. In fact, Lowe himself catered.

“When my husband and I lived in New York City, we did a lot of entertaining,” says Kim Grogg. “For all parties and gatherings I called Kristoffer. He brings sophistication, elegance and a wonderful contemporary style to everything he touches. Food presentation and table arrangements (including flowers) are gorgeous. He is an exceptional cook; imaginative in his menu planning and always uses vegetables/fruits that are in season. The best thing about working with Kristoffer, however, is his sense of humor. If you want to have fun as well as throw a fabulous party….call Kristoffer!”

As lockdown extended month by month, he found himself posting on Facebook magazine cover-worthy dishes he’d concocted. Reaction was where can I get that? send it over! or how did you make it? In response he’s put together four shows to date during which he walks the audience through creating a dish with lively patter, then sings a song. The show is called Kitchen Standards and Practices. “I like taking components in raw forms and combining them to create something else. It’s creative. And then you can eat it.”

So far, Lowe has made Cranberry Orange Chutney, Cider-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate and Pistachios, Candied Beet and Goat Cheese Crostini, and Boeuf Bourguignon. As he creates off the cuff, nothing is written down, so listen and watch carefully. Perhaps if the chef gets enough audience, he’ll start to keep records. Several appetizing drinks have been posted. This is Lowe’s recipe for Rosemary Pomegranate Whiskey Sour:

Rosemary Pomegranate Whiskey Sour (makes two glasses) 4 oz Bourbon, 2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice, 1/2 Oz (or more to taste) Simple Syrup, 1 or 2 Rosemary Sprigs, 2 Tbs Pomegranate Seeds

Instructions: Muddle ( “Muddling means to crush up berrries,herbs etc to release their juices/oils. when making a cocktail. It also means what we’re all doing to survive in 2020. Muddling along.”) Add the remaining ingredients and fill shaker with ice. Shake for a solid 30 seconds or so. Don’t cheat on the shake, people! Pour through a mesh strainer into a sugar rimmed (or plain) coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon peel twist and a small rosemary sprig. Don’t garnish with pomegranate seeds because they don’t float, they’ll sink and someone will choke on them.

“In these uncertain times, you know you’re going to eat anyway, so take a little more time and treat yourself to something special.” And it’s entertaining. Watch, try, and respond to encourage.

Now is the time to/Sing for your supper/And you’ll get breakfast/Songbirds are not dumb/ They don’t buy a crumb of bread/It’s said, so sing and you’ll be fed (Rodgers & Hart)