Career Change Takes Duo From Computers to Catering

Issaquah Press: May 17, 2006

By Olga Barkhudariyan

Like many Seattle-area professionals, Matt Jones has logged time in the computer industry.

For almost 14 years, he worked as a graphic designer for Microsoft and a creative director for ESPN. But somewhere along the way, the Issaquah resident heard a different calling.

Always a person who enjoyed cooking and creating in the kitchen, Jones realized one day that he "didn't want to die without having been a chef.

"Working in the office, I didn't feel like I had a big enough effect. I didn't feel like I was contributing" to society, he said.

From there, he teamed up with his wife, Denise Jones, a software engineer, and they founded Starry Nights Catering & Events, 11200 Kirkland Way, Suite 220, in Kirkland. The business had its grand opening early last month. Matt is the executive chef.

"Most people don't think they can leave the safety of their jobs," he said. "I'm proof that if you are passionate about something, you can follow your dreams and change your life."

Denise was well-familiar with her husband's culinary skills.

"I had food allergies, and Matt started doing all the cooking in the house," she said. "Instead of eating fast food, we discovered organic and natural whole foods."

He also makes the best chocolate chip cookies, she said.

People often would recommend that he sell them because they were so delicious. Eventually, he began to sell cookies and desserts online.

In addition, Matt has always made his own bread and pie crusts.

"We would have parties at the house and people would be stunned that the food was made from scratch," Denise said.

Today, they also have a partnership with a pastry chef.

The couple's culinary inspiration has been drawn from a good deal of world travel. They have spent extensive time in Spain, and Matt has attended cooking schools in Thailand and Indonesia.

"There is no better way to learn about cooking than from the people who live there," Denise said.

The couple, both in their 30s, also traveled to South America for Carnivale. When they returned, Google asked them to do a South American menu for an event.

"We try to make whole, fresh, authentic cuisine," Matt said.

If a client requests a type of food that he has never prepared, he is excited to take on the test.

"That presents quite a unique challenge that I absolutely love," he said.

He then extensively researches the culture and food.

There is a reason why different people use different ingredients, and as a chef, Matt said he believes that needs to be respected.

"Understanding those reasons and respecting them is important to me," he said.

For a small fee (enough to cover ingredients), he can prepare a customized tasting of a specific dish.

"Bring Grandma if she is the standard," he joked.

Then, if something is not right, he can talk about any changes that need to be made. "What we try to focus on is making the customer happy," he said.

The couple also works with clients to make their services as affordable as possible.

"You can have a birthday party for you and 20 of your friends and it wouldn't kill you," Denise said.

This month is turning out to be a busy one.

They are planning a charity fundraiser, "Mambo Away the Hunger," for Sunday, May 21, at Starry Nights. The event will raise money to benefit Food Lifeline. They will have Cuban cuisine and an instructor will teach mambo dancing. Tickets are $45.

They are also teaching a cooking class and catering four Greek weddings this month.

In the fall, they plan to have dinner nights with dancing, called "Dining and Dancing Around the World," where diners can come and eat Argentinean barbecue, for example, and learn the Argentinean tango.

People will "get to learn something and have a good time," Denise said.

Matt seems satisfied with his career change.

"I'm not looking to be the next TV star," he said. "I like fading into the background once I provide the food. And if the food is so good that people can focus on their event, family and friends, then I achieved my goal."

"Ten years from now, people are not going to remember if I wrote a loop of code," Denise added. "but they will remember an amazing wedding cake.

"We just want to bring really great whole food to people who never had it. It makes you feel better, makes you healthier, makes you live longer."