Waking Up With: Chloe Lucas-Walsh

Chloe Lucas-Walsh is an LA-based creative whose beautiful recipes and legendary supper clubs are forever inspiring us. We always love to see the amazing foods, imagery, events, and words she is sharing with the world. Here, we discuss her creative pursuits within the culinary world, her favorite parts of living in LA, and where she goes for inspiration.

My name is Chloe and I am a chef, recipe developer, food stylist, writer and creative. I am originally from the UK but I have been happily living in Los Angeles for the past 7 years. 

I have been very busy lately! All good things–I hosted my first supper club of the year a few weeks ago which was British inspired food. I had been wanting to do something like that for ages, it turned out so great. And back in Jan I cooked for my biggest dinner yet. It was an art gallery event and I cooked for 200+ people. It was really fun! I think I want to do more large scale food events after doing that one.

If I don’t need to be up early for a shoot, I usually wake up naturally around 7:30am and have a cup of English breakfast tea with almond milk in bed. I can’t eat breakfast right away, and have been this way all of my life. I will then look at emails and make a plan for my day. 

Around 9 I will make myself some breakfast and perhaps a matcha with almond  milk. Breakfast is usually something on toast, most likely an egg, or some kind of tartine. Tomato or cucumber tartine most likely, and always with some dill (my favorite herb) and hot sauce.

Then I usually do 40 mins of HIIT or pilates, depending on what I did the day before in my living room or garden, depending on how strong the sun is already. I will then shower and do my skincare routine.  My look is very minimal make-up and dewy skin.

Then time for answering emails and getting started on whatever work I have on that day, which is usually a few recipes to develop / film any content that is needed, and any writing (I am currently working on my cookbook proposal which is very exciting).

I actually had no formal culinary training as of early last year. I had worked in many restaurants over the years, but it was mainly to sustain myself through my studies. But during those times, I learned so much and built on everything I had already honed as a home cook. 

But I have always gravitated towards Italian cuisine specifically, more so regional Italian cuisine. And so last year, I decided to go to culinary school in Calabria, Italy - to the Italian Culinary Institute. It was so amazing. I learned a lot more technicality to my cooking, and I think I really had a chance to see the spirit of how and why Italian food is so amazing, tasty and beloved. It is in its simplicity. And simple is how I have always cooked. Now, I want to do more short term culinary school stints. Ballymaloe is on the cards for sure - just putting that out into the universe! Or staging at a restaurant that I have always wanted to work in has also been on my mind, like Chez Pannise perhaps. 

Before doing what I am doing now (actually working in food-as a chef, freelance recipe developer, photographer, food stylist, content creator, writer and art director) I hosted supper clubs for years. It started when I was at University in Bristol, my housemates and I would take turns in hosting supper clubs once a month. We all loved food, cooking and sharing meals with friends (and sometimes strangers)! I actually graduated doing fine art, painting. And although I am not directly working in the art world that I once saw myself having a career in - it all connects to what I am doing now.

It really depends on what I have on that day! Sometimes I am working in a studio on a styling shoot. Sometimes I am on the Westside having meetings with some of my private chef clients. A lot of the time at the moment I am actually at home, developing recipes for various clients and collaborations. And writing is a big part of my day at the moment, as I mentioned I am working on my manifesto for my cookbook so that is taking a chunk of my time.

It is certainly difficult and I do get overwhelmed sometimes but I am a very organized person so sometimes I like to take a step back and zoom out on everything, to find clarity. I find it helps to look at the bigger picture and prioritize things that way. 

My friends and family help me stay grounded and cooking does too.Being tactile with my hands is a big part of why I love to cook, it’s a source of calm and relaxation for me, still–even though it is my job. Even after a long day of cooking I will still cook us both (my husband and I) something for dinner. It might be something simple like minestrone soup or some baked fish and salad. But it makes me feel grounded and happy, being in my kitchen–for sure.

The weather, the people, the produce! I love that LA is a huge city with so much to do. Some people don’t like the driving culture here, but I honestly love it! I love driving to the Westside with a good podcast. I am such a city dweller! I also love LA’s close proximity to nature–you can be on a great hike usually within around 15 mins of where you live. I love the creativity here and the entrepreneurial spirit.

 I get so much inspiration from literally everywhere! Travel, restaurants, menus, books, tv, people, the market, the weather, talking to other chefs, wine, los angeles, home, my granma, food media! 

 I have actually been hosting supper clubs for many years now. I first started when I was at University, and living in Bristol. I stopped for a little when I first moved to the US, but hosted some in SF (where I lived before LA) too. 

I love the idea of bringing people together over food. We all have a shared love for the same thing and I just think that is so beautiful. There is so much emotion and we each have such a personal history with food, growing up with food and family traditions. Strangers around a table end up not being strangers very quickly and I just love facilitating that. 

That, and I adore cooking for people–obviously.

I love history and so read a lot of history books. I also read a lot of food writing. I used to paint a lot, but not so much anymore. There never seems to be any time. I love taking long walks and having coffee with my friends–it’s a time that we get connect and catch up.

My husband and I love to travel and it is a huge part of our lives and who we are as people. It could be near or far, but we always prioritize travel and experiencing new things together.

I think I have adopted a very californian interior aesthetic and love the influence that living on the west coast has had on my interior style. I love Luis Barrgan and his perspective on light, and the heavy furniture that he uses throughout his design. My style always has a certain mid century modern air to it, but not too much. 

I like things fairly minimal (not too much clutter)  and love neutral colors–but I like some bits of chunky vintage furniture to contrast. I have a mix of friends’ art and photography through the house, as well as my own. I am always looking for new art.

I am reading Tamar Adler's 'The Everlasting Meal’. She is an ex Chez Panisse alum and writes so wonderfully! I feel like I am in her kitchen with her. I am watching Stanly Tucci’s ‘Searching for Italy’. I've watched it a few times already, and always go back to it. I am listening to anything by Olivia Dean–her voice is so soothing.

• The coolest place I’ve ever woken up in is: Puglia, Italy in a house overlooking the sea.
• The best cup of coffee/tea is at: Canyon Coffee (I pretty much live there). 
• A thing about mornings I’ll never get sick of is: Snuggling with my cats.