Chef Boni Day
I was born in Germany and have lived in a few places around the globe, but I always return to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. My culinary training took place at Seattle Central Community College, and I am a self-taught baker and pastry chef.
In my late 20s, while working in the travel industry, I met a stranger on a beach in the Caribbean, started a conversation and that conversation changed my life. When I asked him what he did for work he said he was a chef on a private yacht. And just like that, a switch flipped on for me and I decided that I was going to be a chef on yachts too. I have always loved food, cooking, and entertaining. Being born overseas and living in a large military family gave me an appreciation for foods from around the world and a seemingly endless wanderlust. So, it seemed only natural to combine those two things.
Since returning to land, I have worked as a baker and pastry chef creating breads and desserts in restaurants and catering events. While doing this I began to get a lot of requests from customers with allergies and health conditions. This led to me becoming interested in food as medicine and working as a private chef to bring solutions to people right in their homes.
I also had the pleasure of cooking for preschoolers. Helping them to experience food from around the world while providing all the basics for a balanced diet was rewarding. Teaching cooking classes for them was a joy.
I am passionate about helping people with various dietary restrictions and allergies experience nutritious, delicious, beautiful culinary delights. Having food intolerances has helped me get creative in ingredient workarounds and substitutions in cooking and baking with great results.
Highlights from Boni's Menus
- Honey-Garlic Lamb Lollipops with Fennel & Shaved Brussels
- Cumin-Garlic Halibut with Quinoa Pilaf & Rainbow Carrots
- Baked Russian Chicken with Egg Noodles & Herbed Zucchini
- Korean Bulgogi with Pan-Seared Baby Bok Choy & Blistered Green Beans
- Coq au Vin
- Apricot Sage Chicken with Carrots & Balsamic Roasted Golden Beets
- Mapo Tofu with Kimchi Fried Rice
- Classic Chicken Piccata
- Blackened Salmon with Rice & Cucumber Salad
- Kung Pao Chicken
More about Boni
When did you first get interested in cooking?
I first became interested in food during my senior year in high school. Dining out with friends gave me more exposure to foods and techniques.
What type of foods do you most enjoy making? And eating?
I have a lot of favorites when it comes to food, but just to name a few; Asian, French, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and American. These are all standards when cooking for myself.
Who has been your biggest culinary inspiration or muse?
Some of my inspirations in the culinary world are Ina Garten and Yotam Ottolenghi.
What do you love most about your job?
What I like most about being a personal chef is giving individuals and families a great culinary experience in a personalized way. Getting to know their likes and dislikes, helping them with food challenges, and broadening palates.
If you were not a chef, what would be your dream occupation?
My dream occupation would be a pilot. I love being in the air!
Fun fact about you:
I use a fork and knife to eat a burger.
Favorite Quote:
“Food can bring people together in a way nothing else could.”
~Yotam Ottolenghi