Hans Reisinger is the executive sous chef of Bell Harbor International Conference Center and World Trade Center Seattle and the talent behind Quickfire, the area’s newest meal kit. “Quickfire is the brainchild of my frustration combined with my inspiration, and my plan is to serve Seattleites the way they deserve,” he says. Learn about Hans Reisinger…
Hometown: Born and raised in the Seattle area, Shoreline, WA.
First job: Dishwasher at Scott’s Bar and Grill in Edmonds, WA.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in WA: I really enjoy golfing, boating, gardening, hiking and spending time with my wife, stepchildren and grandchildren.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: My marriage is my biggest accomplishment. I feel blessed to have 17 years with my wife, Adrianne. Having a loving partner that understands the highs and lows of a chef’s career is something I am very thankful for. Adrianne is patient, and she always pushed me to be the best I can be.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: When I was 18, I flew to Switzerland to pursue a three-year culinary apprenticeship. At that time, I was a kid who barely knew German, yet I was able to graduate from a program where the first language is German.
Someone who inspires you and why: Now that my parents have both passed away, I think about how they arrived in New York many years ago on a boat with just a suitcase. Neither of them knew the language nor did they have a job lined up. The obstacles they had to overcome permeated through the values in our household. I hope to set that kind of example for my family.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: It takes a lifetime to learn the different aspects of cooking. Keep learning, growing and bettering yourself. Make sure you’re passionate about cooking and have a great work ethic!
Favorite quote: It’s a toss-up between “Remember, you’re only as good as your last fettucine” or “You got time to lean, you got time to clean.”
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: The hectic schedule of curating food for multiple parties with serious crunch times can cause quite a bit of personal anxiety for me. I always want to do my best and give it my all to each guest.
What makes someone fabulous: I would say kindness, understanding, helpfulness and treating people the way you want to be treated. A person must persevere through life’s ups and downs while having a willingness to be a productive contribution to society.