(Chef’s) Widow of the World
Published in Widowism by chefswidow
What is your name & what kind of widow are you?
My name is Kellie Doolittle and I am a Chef’s Widow.
Where is your casa & what is your jobby job?
Currently my casa is in Crozet, VA – as for his – It’s in Tulsa, OK. After long months of debating when to leave my job and sell the house, I came to the conclusion that I will soon join my Chef in Tulsa. I am an Occupational Therapist working with Military service members who return with Traumatic Brain injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
How long have you been in a relationship with someone in the ‘industry?’
That would be 11 years, married for four of those years.
What is your biggest turnoff or dislike of being a Chef’s/Restaurant Widow?
- Is it possible to go eat at a restaurant without having your husband count the minutes between the drink order and the appetizer order?
- When you cook in the residential kitchen, could you please not use every single pot, pan and spatula that we own – creating an enormous mountain of dirty dishes for me to wash, I am not an industrial dishwasher.
- His Chefly ways are rubbing off on me — sometimes I can become too critical of plating designs too
What is your favorite aspect of being a Chef’s/Restaurant Widow?
Being married to a man that has so much passion, determination and drive to excel and create the best restaurant/dining experience possible. He puts his heart into everything that he does — and it has to be done right.
Considering your significant other most likely works a million and one hours a week, how do you find time to keep the relationship alive?
On the weekends I stay up until he gets home and then we get to have quite time together as he unwinds from work. I always try to make a point to plan a date when he has a day off in the middle of the week. Concerts are always a good option, even though I have to work in the morning.
When you do have time together what is your favorite thing to do (besides the nasty:)?
I would say going to concerts or any music venue. In Charlottesville, VA they have a great open air concert venue with a great variety of bands and singers that come through town.
Do you have any sage words of wisdom for those men or women just starting a new relationship with a Chef or Restaurant manager?
Become active within your community, volunteer, and generally find fun things to do that take up your time — whatever it is, make sure it keeps you engaged
Do you cook?
Yes – not all the time, but I do make a killer Bread Pudding. If I decide to cook during the week, I usually make a plate for him and stick it in the fridge for when he gets home. Small acts of kindness yield nice results 
What would your last meal/adult beverage on earth be? Who would you eat it with?
last meal….hmm…something simple….red beans and rice with a crusty piece of French bread and butter (that would probably be his too) As for beverage: Cooper Vineyards Noche — a red dessert wine. The best, and pairs well with chocolate too.
I know that being a mother and being married to a Chef makes me insane, how do you handle balancing your family life with such a demanding work schedule of your partner?
Well, we do not have kiddos yet, so it is just me, the dog and the CAT. I try to keep myself busy and keep things running. If not I would be so totally bored and lonely.
If you have/had kids would you encourage them to pursue the restaurant industry as a career?
I would not hold them back from anything — but rather inform them of the time and commitment that it requires.
Feel free to share an awesome widow facts about yourself &/or anything you’ve got going on…blog, restaurant events, etc…
We also have a service dog: Cousteau. He is a great part of our lives and serves as the facility dog where I work.
If anyone is going to be in the Tulsa area, check out Trula Restaurant In the old restored Mayo Hotel.
Since we are originally from New Orleans, may I say “WHO DAT !!!”
Thanks Kellie!
If would like to be feature on Chef’s Widow as a Widow of the World please email me at chefswidow at gmail dot com.
Great read! We are close to Tulsa so one day we will have to head up to your place.