Seattle Chef Kiya Schnorr talks about her Create series Cooking with Kiya

Three years ago, when Kiya Schnorr was planning a cross country move from New York to Seattle, she learned that she had won the Create Cooking Challenge. What followed was a big move and shooting her series Cooking with Kitya at her new home in Seattle. 

Now, the online series is airing on Create.com. Create TV airs on channel 9.4, and you can find the 24-hour livestream on our website at www.kcts9.org/watch/live/kcts9.  The local chef is sharing what the Create Cooking Challenge was like and how the Pacific Northwest has influenced her. Here’s what Kiya Schnorr has to say about her favorite Seattle foods, filming a cooking show in a hot apartment and more.

[This interview has been edited and condensed.] 

How does the Pacific Northwest influence your recipes? (I loved your Gingerbread Bigfoot on Instagram!)

Thank you! I love folklore, especially when it’s local. I think the Pacific Northwest has its own special brand of mystery and magic, and creatively it’s a very nourishing environment for me.

When it comes to food, the biggest local influences are the seafood and farmers markets. Being able to walk to the neighborhood markets and feel that firsthand connection to food and where it comes from is so special. Since I’ve been in Seattle, I’ve been much more inspired to cook with seasonal produce. I’m also growing some food for the first time this year, which is a dream I’ve had for a long time. I harvested my first radish today and it sounds dramatic but I nearly cried. Having that kind of intimacy with food changes how you think about it and how you enjoy it. I want everyone to be able to experience that.

You won the Create Cooking Challenge in 2018, could you tell us about that experience? 

Yes! So, the year before, in 2017, I had entered the challenge and placed in the top 10 which nearly blew my mind. I had been cooking seriously for less than a year, but I had a good amount of performance and video experience to offer. It was a big vote of confidence for me because it was my first year blogging and embarking on a new career.

When I entered again in 2018, I decided to make my entry video on frying at home. I had fried a lot of things that year (because I love fried food) and I felt like it was the topic that I knew best. I set up my tripod and filmed in my miniature NYC apartment kitchen. I think I was much more relaxed this second time around because I felt like I was entering the challenge for myself and not necessarily to win. I just wanted to see how much I’d grown.

When I found out I’d won the challenge, we were about two months away from moving across the country to Seattle, so I was excited but apprehensive — moving is stressful, and I knew I’d need to film as soon as we got there. Plus, I’d have to get used to a new kitchen. I also didn’t begin planning the series until after we’d moved, which put me in a time crunch. So, I think I planned, shot and edited the series in about a month. It was intense!

It was August, the hottest month of the year, we didn’t have air conditioning, and I had to keep all the windows shut to decrease outside noise. I could also only film on sunny days because I needed the extra light in the kitchen. I had bright copper red hair at the time and I didn’t want it fading between videos so I washed it as little as possible. Some of the dishes I needed to cook twice in a row for filming purposes, which meant prepping ingredients, washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen twice during filming for continuity. 

The hardest video to film by far was the one on tempering chocolate. The chocolate wouldn’t cool because it was so hot in the kitchen, so I had to use an ice pack. I think I filmed that one four times before it came out. It was so much work that in the three years since I’ve only tempered chocolate on the stove one other time. Meanwhile, my partner furnished our new apartment by himself because I was too busy — he did a good job! I learned an enormous amount through this project. Not only about the topics I cover in the series, about filming, planning, researching and video editing, but also about myself.

What are some of your favorite Seattle foods or restaurants? 

Gosh, there are so many amazing food things in Seattle. Some of my favorites are Bow Hill Blueberries’ pickled blueberries and the Thai sausage from Nature’s Last Stand Farm — both sell their goods at the farmers markets.

My absolute favorite place to frequent is Ba Bar. There are three locations and it’s not enough, I need one right next to me at all times. 

What is the best way for viewers to follow along with Cooking with Kiya?

My instagram (@kiyafries) is where I’m most active, and where I share a lot of the day-to-day cooking that I do, as well as updates on my blog! And of course my blog, kiyafries.com, is where my recipes live.