Going to law school while working part-time did not leave much time for cooking. I was spending a fortune on take-out or delivery almost every night—which isn’t healthy for the body or the budget. Then a classmate bragged about the meals he got delivered on a weekly basis–orzo feta salad, pulled pork, penne with sausage, spinach and mozzarella cheese…
What? I thought. Where can I get that? The answer is Kat Basile, the woman behind KitchKat, who realized many people were tired of high calorie, high cost take-out. Basile started cooking in middle school, citing her signature dish, “spaghetti with cheddar cheese, julienned carrots and sugar.”
She’s come a long way since then. Today she gets her inspiration from Smitten Kitchen, Closet Cooking, Pinterest, and Food Gawker—keeping an eye out for things that are flavorful, unique and healthy. KitchKat delivers to DC, Chevy Chase and Bethesda on Mondays, Tuesdays in Arlington. Choose from a revolving menu of choices like shrimp Thai pasta with veggies ($10); black bean, corn and bell pepper enchiladas ($8); and chocolate silk pie ($7) for dessert.
When I placed my first order from KitchKat, Basile arrived at my front door in an oversized van with a big smile and five-year-old daughter in tow. I could see the passion and fiery resolve Basile has for life and business. Since then, KitchKat has grown rapidly by word of mouth, receiving upwards of 30 orders per week. “It’s fun because I get to make new things that I wouldn’t normally try,” Basile says, “and [people] really enjoy the food.”
In addition to delivering weekly meals through KitchKat, Basile works as a private chef and for TaKorean, one of the city’s favorite food trucks. But the most thing she does is teach kids how to cook. Basile’s passion for life and family definitely carries over in her food. Her ultimate goal is to be the female version of Guy Fieri, but for now, you can get a taste of that passion through KitchKat. Follow her on Twitter at @KitchKatYum.
Photo: Rob Runyan
Amanda Jane has been with GMF since 2011. She took a leap across the pond to settle down in Dublin, Ireland. This native Upstate New Yorker started her food adventures with beer and pub food and has since graduated to tasting menus as Three Star Michelin Restaurants. But living in a pub town, she still enjoys a cold Guinness and humble Irish lamb stew.