Audio By Carbonatix
When Tyler Nemkov joined Cafe Society as a twenty-year-old intern from Johnson & Wales three years ago, he knew he wanted to pursue both a journalism and a culinary career.
He opted to keep working in kitchens while he earned his degree at the University of Colorado — right before it closed its journalism school. And now he’s found that life in the kitchen is no more permanent: Just a month after having been named executive chef at Mateo Restaurant Provencal, the 23-year-old has left that gig.
“We didn’t see eye to eye,” Nemkov offers as his reason for leaving so soon after owner Matthew Jansen had moved him into the top slot after it was vacated by Kelly Kingsford. “Making this decision was extremely difficult. But I’m proud to say I’m leaving on my own terms with my head held high. I appreciate dearly the time spent growing and learning and am excited for the future.”
And at least Nemkov, who’s also worked at Cured, Boulder’s new specialty cheese shop, as well as Mateo, now has time to focus on school: He’s slated to graduate CU in two weeks.
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