Ever since deciding to start Kir2Ben, I have been an insanely positive person. I have always been somewhat of a cynic but recently, I have felt more passionate and motivated than ever. As part of this new lease on life, one of my main goals is to help other “creatives” achieve their dreams. That being said- let me introduce Stephanie Robinson, founder of The Chaotic Kitchenette!

Steph was my first ever non-college/”real world” roommate. We graduated from Duke in 2011 and got accepted to do Teach for America in the DC region. Paired up through mutual friends, we were destined to share a tiny kitchen in Georgetown for the next two years. Our apartment was described as an “English Basement”, meaning we would share a hole in the ground that was the size of a dorm room for thousands of dollars a month. Welcome to DC! Even though we were “spatially challenged”, Steph always did her best to try to make the apartment a home (in spite of my messiness and constant influx of loud drunken friends).

This month, Steph launched her new venture: The Chaotic Kitchenette! The premise behind this brilliant food blog was born from attempting to cook beautiful adult meals in a DC-sized space. The blog tells tales (and recipes) from trying to cook for two in a 1960s apartment kitchen with no dishwasher, no garbage disposal, no microwave, and only 2 square feet of counter space. Her trials, errors and triumphs will prove to all the other tiny apartment-dwellers out there that it is possible to create culinary brilliance with minimum square footage… it just might get a little chaotic.

As soon as she broke the news, I couldn’t wait to support her project (and have her cook for me of course). Steph has always been super creative in the kitchen and, even in our tiny flat, she would manage to entertain. When she hosted me for brunch this weekend, I knew to come hungry. I will say, her business name is fitting-the kitchen did manage to get a little chaotic!  Mid-first course, the balsamic glaze went up in smoke and we had fire alarms as well as concerned neighbors to answer to!

Fire hazards aside, it is so very amazing to see a friend pursue their passion! Talking about our endeavors over champagne and orzo was exhilarating. It can be scary to admit to yourself, and others, that you’re taking a risk and listening to that little voice in your head that tells you to follow your heart. Please check out chaotickitchenette.com to follow Steph’s journey!

Here are some more of my favorite shots from the day: