As a boy, Brandt Evans was a farmhand to the last owner of the property, Don Barlow.   After graduation from Hudson High School, Brandt received his degree from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY.  Upon graduation, Brandt worked for Charlie Palmer at his Manhattan restaurant, Alva. Under Palmer’s tutelage, Brandt perfected his technique and waited for the chance to start his own restaurant.

 

The opportunity arose back home in Cleveland.  Evans created the menu and commandeered the kitchen for Kosta’s, a newly opened restaurant in the burgeoning Tremont neighborhood, where he helped put Cleveland on the foodie map.  Notably, Zagat’s named it Best New Restaurant, and Brandt garnered a James Beard nomination for best chef in the Midwest, as well as numerous mentions in “Food & Wine” magazine.  At Kosta’s, he combined bold, ethnic flavors with the cold-weather comfort foods of northeastern Ohio. Brandt then created Blue Canyon Kitchen + Tavern, in Twinsburg, and Pura Vida by Brandt in downtown Cleveland. Pura Vida caters to clients such as the athletes and management of the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and visiting teams.

 

The two restaurants run the gamut from classic American dishes with a focus on wild game and fish (Blue Canyon) to that of New American vegetarian and vegan friendly fare (Pura Vida by Brandt). His third and newest restaurant, Comida, addresses the need for healthy fast-casual dining with a focus on Mexican street food.