“Awareness and Accessibility of Alaska’s food supply.”
Chef Rob and Carolyn Kinneen started Fresh49.com to showcase Alaska’s food bounty. Utilizing Rob’s contemporary Chef training and Carolyn’s logistical and media skills, they develop webisodes exploring Alaskan and local food identity, create events featuring local cuisine and work with companies on food development and brand messaging. They have an Alaskan sauce line launching in Summer of 2012 and are working on a documentary exploring Alaskan regional cuisine and Alaska Native identity. Rob and Carolyn have a daughter, Sylvie who often accompanies them on their adventures.
Rob has been a featured speaker at events including TEDxAnchorage 2012, Alaska Week at UMASS Amherst and the 2011 National Indian Health Board Conference. He represented the State in the 2008 Great American Seafood Cookoff in New Orleans, LA and has contributed to cookbooks “Pacific Feast” by Jennifer Hahn and “Wild Alaskan Seafood” by James Fraioli.
Born in Petersburg, AK Rob is of Tlingit heritage (Alaskan Native). Working in the industry since the age of 14, he attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. After graduation he worked at several prestigious restaurants including NOLA in New Orleans, Pop’s Trattoria and Elaine’s on Franklin in North Carolina. During this time he established his philosophies of sourcing product locally and seasonally. Returning to Alaska, he established a reputation for his loyalty to Alaskan product and community involvement as Chef of the Seven Glaciers restaurant at the Alyeska Resort, Chef/Owner of Noble’s Diner, as Chef de Cuisine at the Crow’s Nest and as Executive Chef of Orso.
