Meet Kirk Coult | Asian restaurants

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

Hi Kirk, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My life and business partner, and I brought together our Entrepreneurial spirits and complementary business backgrounds to start a business that would enhance the culinary scene in communities in which we opened our Asian restaurant concepts. We started our first restaurant in Denver, CO and decided we wanted to be in the mountains so opened Bangkok Happy Bowl in Aspen, CO a decade ago and it’s still going strong. Since then we have expanded to Salida and opened Osake Steak and Sushi Bar, and expanded Bangkok Happy Bowl to Breckenridge, Hawaii and we are opening up a Key West, FL location at the end of December. My wife, Paula, was born and raised in Bangkok and had extensive experience cooking with her family growing up so she’s the brains behind all the menu creations and I help organize the business side of things. Together we make a great team and have continued to grow our business across the US in communities that we resonate with and where we feel like we can most add to the communities culinary experience in Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The entrepreneurial process is both highly challenging and highly rewarding. Starting out is most difficult, For example, we started out our first restaurant location with a tight budget and no employees. We did not even know a soul in Denver, CO., where we opened our first restaurant. The growth process is also challenging, but the longer that you continue to move forward, the stronger you build your foundation. We love food, community and music and love opening up restaurants that are come as you are, accessible to all in the community and serve great food. We have restaurants in Salida, Aspen, Hawaii, Breckenridge and soon to be Key West that serve a fusion of Thai, Japanese and Chinese cuisine.

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.
A wide range of culinary experiences, sporting events, and musical concerts in the Roaring Fork Valley. There’s so much going on in Aspen, CO that I would take them to my favorite restaurants including Bangkok Happy Bowl and Phat Pho N’ Sushi, ski on Aspen Mountain, listen to music from the Aspen Music school, check out the Aspen museum, walk around the John Denver Sanctuary and visit the local parks. I would also make sure to stop in and get ice cream at Paradise Bakery.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife, Paula Coult, all her recipes and a 30 year history opening Asian restaurants, on multiple continents. She’s my best friend, teammate business partner and I love our lives together opening restaurants across the US, creating incredible culinary fusions for people to enjoy and traveling together to our favorite locations. And My father, who set the example as a successful entrepreneur and mentored me.

Website: bangkokhappybowl.com

Linkedin: Kirk Coult

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/ZPHimTg75BXchRtF/?

Image Credits
Kirk Coult