Inside the Kitchen with Jake and Tommy Keet
Jake and Tommy Keet
Owners of Taziki’s Mediterranean Café and I Love Juice Bar
Cuisine you're known for:
Voted "best Greek food" for Tazikis, and fresh juice, smoothies and vegetarian food at I Love Juice Bar
What is your top tip for healthy eating?
Don’t burn yourself out trying to eat every meal healthy. Pick a cheat day and look forward to it. Variety in flavors and meals is important. 80/20 is a good goal.
Simple suggestion for cooking healthier at home:
Use coconut oil or a good olive oil instead of vegetable oil; use fresh ingredients to increase nutrients taken in.
What item on your menu do you most recommend to those looking for something healthy?
The Salmon Mediterranean Salad at Taziki’s is delicious, filling, healthy and has a wonderful balance of protein and leafy greens, legumes, and nuts. At I Love Juice Bar there are a multitude of healthy choices—the entire menu is gluten free and vegetarian.
The food trend you're both loving right now?
We love how the benefits of juicing and a Mediterranean diet are being promoted throughout the country, and that we're on the forefront of that trend. As owners, we sleep well at night knowing that we are helping people live a healthier lifestyle.
Superfoods — what are your favorites and how do you use them?
At I Love Juice Bar we have kale, acai, blueberries, goji berries, avocados, local honey, bee pollen, and a multitude of other superfoods that we put into our smoothies and use to make our juices. If you order the Salmon Mediterranean Salad at Tazikis – you get salmon, nuts, garbanzo beans, olive oil, fresh romaine and spring mix.
Ingredient you can’t live without and why?
Jake: I can’t go a day without onions—red or yellow, doesn’t matter. Luckily, my wife likes them as well.
Tommy: Lemons. Whether it is in my water, in my food, or on my food, I love the kick of lemons.
Jake: My chef’s knife—I use it every day.
Tommy: My wine opener—it just makes life after a little easier on a long day.
Common misconception people have about eating healthy?
That it can’t taste good, and that snacking is bad. Healthy snacking during the day will help increase your metabolism.
Outside of the kitchen, what is your fitness routine of choice?
Jake: I have two children, so whenever I have time I try and go to the gym, but running around chasing them helps keep me in shape.
Tommy: I am pretty good about hitting the gym after work. I like sitting on a stationary bike or elliptical with a good book, doing yoga, or lifting weights.
| Favorite meal of the day | Breakfast (J), Dinner (T) |
| Favorite vegetable | Collard Greens (J), Asparagus (T), |
| Secret recipe you'll never reveal | The tomato chutney aioli at Tazikis |
| Go-to meal when you're short on time | Baked salmon with quinoa and fresh veggies |
| Celebrity chef crush | Gordon Ramsey |
| Guilty-pleasure food | Pizza (J), A great cheeseburger (T) |
In the Pantry
How do you feel these trendy culinary ingredients—love it or leave it, Chef?
Sriracha: Love it.
Kale: Love it.
Chia: Love it.
Quinoa/similar grains: Love it.
Matcha: Love it.
Fancy salt: Himalayan is amazing.
Bone broth: Leave it.
Coconut sugar: Love it.
Cold-pressed juice: We prefer centrifugal.