Meet Ashley Brown | Chef de Cuisine

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
The most important lesson my career has taught me was the appreciation of time. Being a Chef, you are constantly looking at clocks and calendars, dates and times. Weather your planning an event, to trying to get in some family time, or catching up with friends. Time passes by so quick and you need to cherish every second.

Sometimes I stay up at night thinking how long its been since I had dinner with my mom, and I need to get more quality time with my kids that’s more than just getting them ready for school, or I need to do better on how long it takes me to have a conversation that is past due with a staff member.

Time is precious. In the kitchen, the length of a minute is always different depending on what side of the pass you’re on.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m most proud of how far I have come in my career. No matter how hard times were, I never gave up nor do I intend to.
I got to where I am at today by having self discipline, and undeniable dedication and loyalty to those who helped me along the way.
It was never easy. I got through the tough times by only accepting my fate and continuing to push through. That’s all you can do.
I have slowly learned how to say no, and to value my time. By that I mean I learned to trust my team at work, that they are capable of executing everything I have taught them and to let them grow. You’re only as good as your day off.
I want the world to know about my story. I want to create good memories. That starts with a conversation around a dinner table with good food, and good people. I want others to know that no matter how you grew up, where you have been, that you can still follow your dreams and make them into reality.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Colorado Springs food scene is definitely evolving and quickly. It’s exciting to watch. Now, to say my favorite spots.
Hiking the Garden of the Gods or by Helen Hunt Falls. Since we are a mountain city, you have to see it by being in it!
I always enjoy the mom and pop joints such as Tlaquepaque to the Hatch Cover for bar food bites or UVA Wine Bar for beautiful wines.
There is also if you want to dress up and feel sexy, go to Ambli Global Cuisine for dinner, Ephemera, Cowboy Star and of course the restaurant I work at Four By Brother Luck or a causal brunch at Till Neighborhood Bistro or lunch at Eleven18.
There is always the classic people watching on a patio downtown or Manitou Springs.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Who shouldn’t I shout out? I have so many people in my story that deserve the credit.
My mom for starters. She was there the moment I got the crazy idea of wanting to be a chef, so she has seen every aspect of my career.
My husband for bearing with me with all the hours I’m away and cheering me on through every milestone and raising our two beautiful children.
Beau Green as my longest mentor. He’s the one that helped grow me from my first time being in the restaurants to today, and helping me get through hardships.
Brother Luck for adding me to his team, and trusting me to run one of his restaurants and continuing to help me grown in his brand and providing so many opportunities.
Also, big shout out to MAPP mentorship and advocacy for women empowerment in this industry. Showing us we can do anything.

Website: https://fourbybrotherluck.com

Instagram: chef_browntown

Facebook: Ashley Brown