ENLIGHTENMENT: Chef Kelly McCown of The Kitchen

Kelly McCown is the man who got Sacramento its first Michelin-starred restaurant. As executive chef of The Kitchen, he oversees everything from menu development and ingredient quality control to the hands-on prep and presentation of dinner. McCown doesn’t stay in the kitchen, he’s front and center, narrating courses and staying with diners for a large part of the evening. To be a restaurant that merits a Michelin star, serves a six-course menu for $195, and always sells out, the above-and-beyond customer service and attention to detail are mandatory.

So what does it take to earn, and to keep, a Michelin star? How does McCown handle that pressure, along with all the other headaches of running a restaurant these days? What courses did he put on his Summer Menu? And what does he think of shows like Top Chef and The Bear?

We'll ask those questions to McCown during our Sunday Brunchtime salon talk. We’ll bring the bagels and mimosas (sorry, it won’t be catered by The Kitchen), and please bring your questions for Chef Kelly — nothing is too dumb or too small to ask.

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Ruhstaller BSMT has a variety of beers on tap, as well as wine, kombucha and N/A beverages. Please feel free to BYO food.

Transportation Options include:* Hourly street parking meters along L Street* Covered/outdoor parking garages on L Street/Kayak Alley between 7th and 8th Street ($12)* City garages: Capitol Garage at 1129 10th St. and City Hall Garage at 917 10th St. ($7)* Light rail transit: Ruhstaller is super close to stops on the Blue, Green and Gold lines

For more information about ENLIGHTENMENT and about California Groundbreakers, go to californiagroundbreakers.org

Also check out other Food & Drink events in Sacramento, Workshops in Sacramento, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Sacramento.