Many of us growing up aspire to be a teacher, lawyer, doctor or nurse, but not Caleb Combs.
He is a self-taught cook starting at the young age of 17. Fast-forward to today; Caleb is a full-time chef for Colonel De Gourmet Herbs and Spices, Colonel’s Kitchen, in charge of the Colonel’s outreach program and has earned awards and scholarships for his talent at the age of 30.
Chef Caleb Combs is the most recent recipient of the Master Chef John Kinsella Scholarship and bronze medal for the 2018 MCI American Culinary Federation (ACF) Culinary Salon. His award-winning dish was Sautéed Airline Chicken Breast using Colonel De’s Turkey Rub Parisian Gnocchi, Beemster Cheese Sauce and seasonal greens.
The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), established in 1929, is the standard of excellence for chefs in North America. With more than 15,500 members spanning more than 150 chapters nationwide, ACF is the leading culinary association offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and programmatic accreditation.
Chef Combs chats about the award and inspiration to his passion for the culinary arts:
Where are your roots? Chef Combs: “I was born in February 1988. I’ve lived in Middletown, Fairfield and Finneytown. Currently I reside in Northern Kentucky.”
How did you get started in the culinary profession? Chef Combs: “ I am actually a self-taught cook. I started when I was 17 and kept pushing myself to try new foods outside of my comfort zone and recreate them by memory of tasting them. In the last two years, I pursued formal education and mentoring for the culinary arts. Truth be told, I’ve grown more in the last two years than in the 11 years before that. I’m in the Culinary Arts (AA) Program and also pursuing Food Science (BS) Fall 2019. This is all at the Midwest Culinary Institute of Cincinnati State.”
Who’s your mentor? Chef Combs: “There are several people who have that kind of influence in my life such as Colonel, Matt Buschle, Chef Galvin, however, I’d say primarily Chef Jeff Hyde mentors me. He constantly pushes me to stretch myself by way of the opportunities that he places in front of me. More than once I’ve thought to myself in the midst of those moments, ‘I really don’t think I can pull that off… I’ve never done anything like that before.’ But we learn more from failure than from success, and we learn nothing from success if we don’t stop to reflect how we got there. I’m grateful that Chef Jeff helped me learn that.”
Was there somebody in your past who mentored you to do what you’re doing now? Chef Combs: “Not individually. Many people have encouraged me to pursue this career, but I’ve been reluctant because I don’t want to spend my whole life in a kitchen while my family waits for me at home. But I’m pursuing it now with a specific goal in mind thanks to an incredible conversation with Colonel De. I trust that God will place me where He wants me to be and sustain me as He sees suitable.”
What’s your favorite Colonel De go to spice or blend? Chef Combs: “I could use the Soul Seasoning on just about everything. It’s spicy, savory, and satisfying in just about every way. Beyond that, Seattle Steak is my favorite steak rub. I love all of our chili peppers for the unique flavors. And galangal root is hands down my absolute favorite aromatic spice.”
How has Colonel De shaped you in your culinary profession? Chef Combs: “Before Colonel De, I fancied myself a clever and resourceful cook. Now, while I still cook for fun, I’m driven to see this company succeed and to do so by offering my creativity, excellence, and diligence. The need for recipes and cooking knowledge at the storefronts compelled me to explore further and further in the culinary realm so that I could offer our customers and staff the best of my knowledge and experience. So rather than casually pursuing culinary abilities I am now driving myself hard towards professionalism in order that I might offer as much as I can.”
Being so young and winning such a prestigious award what were your first thoughts when it was announced that you won? Chef Combs: “I was shocked, excited, and humbled. In my opinion, the judges critiqued my dish so hard that I thought there wasn’t any possible way I was walking out of that competition with any award. Some of the foundational aspects of the food didn’t go over well. But even if I hadn’t received an award at the ACF competition, the hours of practice all the weeks before made me a better chef. And that is what this competition is about ultimately.”
What is your ultimate goal with your profession? Chef Combs: “I want to be the next Alton Brown. I want to be a food scientist, master chef, and educator. If I can help people love foods that they normally wouldn’t and help them become better at cooking, I would be overjoyed.”
What’s your favorite dish or food? Chef Combs: “Pizza is my favorite food. And while most people think of it as a common or cheap food, many do not realize the science that goes into making great pizza dough, the long history behind it, and its incredible versatility among all cuisines on earth. Pizza is quintessentially one of the few foods that encompass all the food groups. I’ve spent years learning on my own to make it from scratch and have such an appreciation for the skill and knowledge needed to turn it into something memorable.”
About Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices
De Stewart, known as “the Businessman Chef” wanted to show how spices and herbs could change the flavor of common foods. Initially, De and his wife, Susan Stewart, with 2 card tables and 15 products, began selling custom blends at local farmers’ markets. Ten years later and hundreds of blends, sauces and gourmet spice, Colonel De is the leading spice purveyor in town.
Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices has stores in Historic Findlay Market, Jungle Jim’s at Eastgate, and now their World Headquarters, teaching and Production Kitchen located in Ft. Thomas, KY. In July 2017, Colonel De expanded his brand with Colonel’s Gourmet Events. In April, Colonel De opened his first farm to table restaurant appropriately named Colonel’s Kitchen.
For more information visit the Colonel De website at www.colonelde.com
Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices