Food has always been a large part of my life. Throughout my childhood there was a large focus on sharing meals as a family - something I am aiming to continue into adulthood.

Family holidays were spent around the kitchen table, or the kitchen island, with various dishes being cooked in the midst of the heavily trafficked area. Food was always the topic of conversation. Between cooking, talking about food, and eating the food we spent all day preparing - an outsider would have thought we had nothing else going on in our lives.

As I grew up and had the opportunity to influence my own household, spending time in the kitchen is my solace. I thrive in the hectic, yet soothing environment of timing dishes, preparing ingredients, and planning out stove and oven space to ensure everything is cooked on time. For me, time flies by in the kitchen and I enjoy every second of it.

Sunnyside Kitchen is a project that has been years in the making - even if it was mostly just a fledgling dream for a while. Though I had been cooking my entire life, it wasn’t until 2023 that I was given the opportunity to teach a live demonstration at the Matawan Public Library.

Sharing food is something that brings me true joy, and Sunnyside Kitchen allows me to do it for a wide range of people on a regular basis. It has been a wonderful experience sharing some of the foods that I’ve taken for granted my entire life, as well as learning and teaching about the vast culinary differences around the world.

There’s a lot in store for Sunnyside Kitchen - I’m happy to have to you along for the ride!

Nick Mietkowski

Founder of Sunnyside Kitchen LLC.