Chef Q & A: Jonnie Karan, Thrive Juice Bar

Jonnie Karan is looking ahead to–and focussing very intently on–Thrive Juice Bar’s new menu which features salad bowls (like ginger lime pad Thai), sandwiches and wraps, and rice bowls.

The restaurant, located in amongst the Bauer Buildings in “midtown,” on King Street between K-Town and Waterloo, also serves a range of vegan and organic breakfasts and desserts as well as more than two dozen beverages, including something called a coconut cashew medjool date smoothie. That sounds like something to try, no?

Waterloo Region Eats caught up with Karan recently and posed to him these questions …

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WREats: Best thing you’ve ever eaten?
JK: Spanish olive oil … in Spain.

Other career you could have pursued?
JK: Blues guitarist.

Favourite beverage?
JK: Fresh juice!

Beverage that once just about killed you?
JK: Ten shots of absinthe.

Chef you’d most like to meet?
JK: Charlie Trotter.

Thrive inside.

Best footwear (for the kitchen or otherwise)?
JK: I’d like to wear flip-flops, but I love my kitchen Crocs.

What scares you in a kitchen?
JK: The mandolin (the slicer; not the musical instrument).

Greatest failed recipe?
JK: A big brown smoothie … now renamed “chocolate avocado ganache” on the new menu [it's magical, luxurious, velvety].

Something that gives you great pleasure?
JK: Owning my own restaurant.

A favourite teacher you’ve had?
JK: Nick from Nick and Nat’s Uptown 21 Food & Drink.

Do you ride a bike?
JK: Yes.

A moment in your life you’d like to have back?
JK: When I lived in Australia.

Where were you born?
JK: Grand River Hospital.

Favourite band?
JK: Jimi Hendrix Experience.

A thrive "burger."

Who would you like to cook for?
JK: You.

The thing you wish for Waterloo Region?
JK: To one day have a beach here!

Go-to late-night snack?
JK: Chocolate.

Best thing about being a chef?
JK: Free artistic expression.

Favourite city?
JK: Melbourne, Australia.

TV chefs who annoy you?
JK: Rachael Ray.

Would you describe yourself as sweet or savoury?
JK: Sweet … and spicy.

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Thrive Juice Bar
105-191 King Street S, Waterloo  N2J 1R1
519.208.8808
www.thrivejuicebar.com

A Thrive dessert.