Hue-Chan Karels, Chef-Owner of Alkemē at Open Kitchen, has loved feeding people since her start as a pastry chef in her parents’ restaurant in Michigan. Later in life, her small artisan cookie business grew into Open Kitchen DC, a unique, multi-purpose kitchen and wine bistro. Over decade later, a move to Santa Fe led to new and creative ways for Open Kitchen to build a bridge to cultural understanding and bring the community together for the common good.

Whether catering private events, providing Cooked + Delivered© meals during COVID, teaching culinary skills, leading culinary adventures, or supporting community events such as Pride Week and the Cancer Foundation of New Mexico, she has holds strong to the belief that magic happens when we gather to share a meal.

Now Chef Karels is excited to bring to the community, Alkemē, a Culture-to-Table restaurant that provides an innovative dining experience and pays homage to heritage cuisines by bringing to life ancestral recipes, stories, and memories of flavors.