"There are things you do because they feel right & they make no sense & they make no money & it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other & to eat each other's cooking & say it was good"...Brian Andreas
Hello hungry people. I look forward to sharing my decades of experience with you through teaching, good times and great food. I want to share my past with you for you to understand who I am and how I got to be. So, sit back, pour a glass of wine, beer, coffee or whatever you like and enjoy the ride.
My love for food began at a very young age. Being of Sicilian descent, I spent many summers in my grandmother's garden and kitchen. Helping her pick fresh herbs and vegetables to stirring sauces, rolling meatballs, breading eggplant and of course taste testing her amazing food.
I began my career in food service at a very young age in a friend's family-owned restaurant in Woodstock NY. It was the early 80's, in the Hudson Valley and next to the Woodstock Playhouse. It was the gathering place for great performances and great food at the gateway to Woodstock. It was the place to be and be seen. The staff buzzing around, the excitement of meal service, the smells and sounds of a busy kitchen...I was hooked from the start.
I applied at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY in 1991. At that time students weren't just enrolled, they had to be accepted. Through my experience, my passion for food and a genuine desire to be a chef I was accepted. While putting myself through school I was also working at America's oldest Inn, The Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck NY. I worked under Larry Forgione, who really is one of the first celebrity chefs, has been called the ‘Godfather of American Cuisine’ and truly one of the best chefs I've worked for. I met Wolfgang Puck at Beekman Arms one afternoon following a recording of The Today Show and with Chef Forgione’s help, I secured an externship training alongside Wolfgang Puck at his first and most famous restaurant, Spago, in West Hollywood. This was the best experience ever. Not only did I learn invaluable techniques, but also the importance of using high quality, wholesome, local, organic products simply prepared to allow the ingredients to be the focus. We made everything from scratch, everything. There has yet to be a restaurant that I’ve stepped foot in of this caliber. I loved going to work every day for the shear excitement of cooking the most amazing food and working with the best ingredients. It didn’t hurt our clientele was actors, musicians, comedians, sports stars and everybody in between either. After all it was the Sunset Strip, Hollywood.
Following graduation from The Culinary Institute of America I worked in New York and Connecticut for some time. I gained a lot of hands-on experience working with some great chefs honing my skills in all aspects of food service, even opening a sushi bar.
Fast forward to today and how I came to North Carolina. I can honestly say I was looking for a change of scenery, and less snow and ice. I’ve held numerous jobs here in Wilmington from French bistro to rolling sushi, breakfast, catering, country club and even corporate chef. I most recently opened from scratch an Italian restaurant with the best Neapolitan pizza you’ll find in the county.
I decided recently to make the transition out of the daily grind of the commercial kitchen and into your home. I excel at intimate, fine dining food and am looking forward to giving you the experience of a 5-star rated meal, without leaving the comfort of your own home. I'm wholly devoted to preparing uncomplicated food allowing the quality and care in the preparation of the ingredients to show through in the dish.
Chef's Specialities
Chef Kevin's Menus
Mix & Match Menus
Build Your Own Menu
Starting at$46.00Per Guest
$399Minimum to book
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Kaiseki Experience
Chef Kevin
7 Courses for $100 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
The New England Table
Chef Kevin
7 Courses for $100 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
PIZZA Party!
Chef Kevin
Starting at $53 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
South of the Border
Chef Kevin
Starting at $75 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
Scales and Shells
Chef Kevin
Starting at $78 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
Family Meal
Chef Kevin
Starting at $75 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
Carolina Coast Luau
Chef Kevin
Starting at $75 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
A Trip to Maui
Chef Kevin
Starting at $75 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
A Menu to Impress
Chef Kevin
Starting at $75 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
Brunch by the Beach
Chef Kevin
Starting at $46 Per Guest
Minimum $350 to book
A Trip Down the California Coast
Chef Kevin
Starting at $82 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
Where There's Smoke There's Fire
Chef Kevin
Starting at $75 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
Mediterranean Market
Chef Kevin
Starting at $75 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
Lowcountry Cooking
Chef Kevin
Starting at $75 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
Mangia Mangia
Chef Kevin
Starting at $75 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
The Garden
Chef Kevin
Starting at $53 Per Guest
Minimum $350 to book
Greatest Hits!
Chef Kevin
Starting at $75 Per Guest
Minimum $399 to book
Reviews
AW
Amy Wangler
January 16 2023
5.0/ 5
Menu: Greatest Hits!
We enjoyed our meal by Chef Kevin. From start to finish, I was pleased with the amount of communication regarding our reservation, potential menu changes, etc. Kevin arrived on time and served our meal as requested. All of the cleanup was done and we didn’t have to lift a finger, so that was nice! For the cost, I would say the menus could be stepped up a notch. We loved the pork belly dish and the plating was beautiful, however the fish was just served over rice with corn, and cocktail peanuts placed on top of our desserts. Kevin was great, we just expected the food to feel a little more “gourmet” for the cost. Overall a nice meal and good service for sure!
Rating breakdown
Chef Overall
5
Food Quality
5
Cleanliness
5
Presentation
5
Communication
5
MB
Maria Burkhart
January 04 2023
5.0/ 5
Menu: Where There's Smoke There's Fire
Chef Kevin worked with me to set our desired menu. Everything was delicious! Everything was set up nicely and cleaned up before they left. He made my husband's retirement party extra special!
Rating breakdown
Chef Overall
5
Food Quality
5
Cleanliness
5
Presentation
5
Communication
5
KW
Kimberly Wascak
September 19 2022
5.0/ 5
Menu: A Trip to Maui
I had hired Kevin to cook a special dinner for my sister and I and her friends who traveled to Myrtle Beach for the week to celebrate her 50th birthday. After arriving on time to our condo, Kevin started preparing our meal including a tuna appetizer, sushi, followed by a macadamia nut encrusted Mahi paired with a sautéed spinach and melt in your mouth sweet potato ravioli. For our non-fish eaters, he prepared a really lovely NY strip steak with a mushroom tortellini. The strip was prepared perfectly. Our crème brûlée dessert where he caramelized the sugar on-site was amazing too! Kevin was an excellent chef and very personable. Next time we are in town, we’d DEFINITELY hire him again to cook for us!
Rating breakdown
Chef Overall
5
Food Quality
5
Cleanliness
5
Presentation
5
Communication
5
RH
Rachel Holley
July 17 2022
5.0/ 5
Menu: Greatest Hits!
Chef Kevin Vermilyea provided us with an amazing culinary experience from start to finish. We used Food Fire + Knives for a bachelorette party and could not have been more impressed. Highly recommend!
Rating breakdown
Chef Overall
5
Food Quality
5
Cleanliness
5
Presentation
5
Communication
5
JW
Jessica Wilson
June 15 2022
5.0/ 5
Menu: Where There's Smoke There's Fire
We had Chef Kevin come do a Carolina-style pulled pork barbecue dinner for our family party of 26 the other day and it was an absolutely wonderful experience. The food was absolutely delicious and members of our party are still talking about it a few days later. He was organized and professional but also extremely kind and friendly. Everything flowed seamlessly and everybody really enjoyed it. I also really appreciate the extra time he took to talk with me about the culinary industry as I am an aspiring personal chef myself. He gave me wonderful advice and it was very clear from talking to him that he has years and years of fantastic experiences that all help him to be the great chef that he is today. I highly recommend Chef Kevin.
Rating breakdown
Chef Overall
5
Food Quality
5
Cleanliness
5
Presentation
5
Communication
5
NN
Nicole Nelson
June 07 2022
5.0/ 5
Menu: Greatest Hits!
I used Food Fire and knives for a client dinner party. I was not able to be there so I trusted Kevin Vermilyea with the process. It was the easiest dinner party I have ever thrown. Kevin cooked an amazing meal and had the kitchen spotless before the guests had finished dessert. I received three texts referencing how great the food was and how seamless the night flowed. If you are looking for a fun experience for a dinner party book your event with FFK. You will not be disappointed.
Rating breakdown
Chef Overall
5
Food Quality
5
Cleanliness
5
Presentation
5
Communication
5
KW
Kathryn Weakley
June 05 2022
5.0/ 5
Menu: Greatest Hits!
Kevin went above and beyond when it came to providing a menu that was not his own. He took the time to explain some of his techniques that heightened the experience. He was entertaining, in addition to being a fabulous chef. I would highly recommend him to anyone in the Wilmington area and my group hopes to come back to book him again.
Rating breakdown
Chef Overall
5
Food Quality
5
Cleanliness
5
Presentation
5
Communication
5
KA
Kara Austin
May 25 2022
5.0/ 5
Menu: Greatest Hits!
Chef Kevin was so nice and his food was so yummy! What a neat experience having a chef come to your house to cook! I would highly recommend it and especially chef Kevin! His lobster ravioli was so good and his ceviche is to die for! Can’t wait to have him back for a sushi night!