SELDEN STANDARD - Key Persons
A 2023 James Beard "Best Chef: Great Lakes" nominee and five time semi-finalist, Andy began his career 25 years ago cooking at a small family restaurant in his hometown of Toledo. Previously, he served as Executive Chef of Michael Symon's Roast where he was named best chef, 2012, in Hour Detroit. He has also cooked at L'Essentiel (Chambery, France), Tribute (Farmington), and Oliveto (Oakland, CA), among others. He is a 2003 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Andy spends his free time in his garden, at the Detroit Film Theater, or at Comerica Park - and remains, despite his better judgment, a die-hard Lions fan.
Homebrewing, Japanese cuisine, and craft beer grabbed Evan's attention while he was working in marketing at the University of Michigan. But it was a glass of 2002 Schäfer-Fröhlich Riesling that slowly steered his life toward food and drink. He loves entertaining guests and re-watching episodes of Deadwood with an immodest glass of bourbon (from Kentucky).
Originally aspiring to work within the music scene, Katelyn Dudley found her passion for cooking as a prep cook at age 19. Having worked at a series of restaurants, she moved to the Detroit area to focus on her career, eventually landing at Selden Standard in 2017, later earning a role as a sous chef. When she's not cooking, Katelyn is at a concert, napping with her cat and dog, or counting the days to the next Halloween.
When Matty K. left Eastern Michigan University years ago, he headed east to attend the Culinary Institute of America to embark on a career in food. Since then, he's cooked at a number of restaurants, including Oceana in New York and Michael Symon's Roast in Detroit, eventually joining our opening team in 2014. A Romeo native turned Detroiter, he loves putting his vintage Nike-clad feet up on his mid-century modern table while helping himself to a cold beer and mom's meatloaf, which remains his uncontested favorite thing.
Fate seems the likeliest explanation for how Natasha ended up at Selden Standard. Having gone to high school with one of the partners, having gotten engaged to the other, and having introduced the two, something would have seemed terribly askew without her radiant presence in the dining room. Formerly Director of Sales & Marketing for Pluto, a creative firm, and a sales rep for a few L.A. clothing companies, Natasha is a tri-lingual world-traveler with a fervent love for karaoke and her finely accoutered dog, Gazpacho.
Paul began his hospitality career over 20 years ago, slinging smiles at Detroit's bustling Centre Street Pub. After an affair with radio broadcasting, this lifelong Detroiter returned to food and beverage, working at some of the best the region has had to offer including Intermezzo, Bacco, Republic, and Mabel Gray. He joined us in 2022, bringing to Selden his technical approach, detailed research, and aim to inspire palettes with a marriage between the kitchen and bar. Paul's free time is happily spent with his family and rescue pit bull, getting outdoors to enjoy all of Michigan's beauty.