Building Ki Kitchen

Hi!

I’m Kevin Sullivan.

I'm hoping to raise funds for my first restaurant as a chef/owner. I have some equipment but not quite enough to start a restaurant. I'm hoping to raise 4500 to flesh out a kitchen with enough equipment to get started. 3-compartment sink, freezer, refrigeration space, fryer. 5000 for tables and chairs, 5000 for a bar. 3000 to 5000 for decor. I need money for payroll as we get started and money for everything from a point-of-sale system to the Internet to insurance.

I didn't choose to work at Tsunami as much as I chose to be able to fund my video game habit on my own. As I furthered my career I held tight to the Asian flavors I encountered daily at Tsunami. Being of African American descent in the American South I have a deep love of soul food. I could not leave either idea alone. I combined these two ideas to create Ki Kitchen. Ki is the Japanese word for soul. The kitchen is the place where my work gets done. If I had to explain my style I would and have most often said it is Asian flavors with Down South ingredients.

I've been working in some of the best kitchens in Memphis for 21 years now, I've met some wonderful people, and now I'm asking those people for help moving forward. Starting a restaurant is a big undertaking but I'm certain that if I can get into a building and get started, I can make it a profitable business that not only provides for me and my family but for a few families. So today I put aside my pride and humbly ask for your help in making a dream 21 years in the making come true.

I have worked in amazing kitchens with amazing chefs. But the greatest ones were also great leaders. Much to their chagrin, they have inspired me to look inside and admit that, though all of the success I've had is fulfilling, I still need to heed the call to create something that is my own. Something heavily influenced by the dishes I have seen. The food I want to eat. The standards that I have seen set. This is the beginning of my legacy. What mark will I leave on the world? Ki Kitchen is a chef cooking what he likes to eat, with people he would eat and drink with, and serving that food to people he would eat and drink with. Life is a series of events but the meaning is in the connections. The relationships we make with one another. The conversations. I want to give people somewhere to build those relationships. Somewhere to have those conversations.

Ki Kitchen.

Where we put soul in food!

I'm asking for donations but I also have gifts in exchange for your generosity. Several levels of

rewards to give thanks for your giving!

1-19$ - Gets you the most heartfelt thank you! and a great hug!

20-39$ - Gets you everything above and a nifty Ki Kitchen branded t-shirt.

40-74$ -Gets you everything above and a 6-pack of a specially branded Ki Kitchen and Memphis Made beer collaboration.

75-150$ - Gets you everything above and a ticket to a special Vip opening event.

At 500$ - Gets you everything above and an invitation to a special thank you dinner, 5 courses with wine pairing.

At 750$ - Gets you everything above and a plus one to the special thank you dinner.

At 2500$- Gets you everything above and a table plaque that will forever remind guests of your giving spirit.