It all started when I was a little girl. I remember my grandpa was on a local broadcasted tv show with one of his pal’s and they made lefse, a Norwegian potato bread. I thought how cool is that.

While growing up and the times I was in the kitchen I would talk out loud like I had my own tv show, I loved watching the food network and my favourite book to read is cookbooks! Clearly, my passion is in food. It didn’t dawn on me as a teenager to reach for my goals or even set any.

As I got older I worked my first job in a bingo hall canteen, I lived in Moose Jaw and then moved up into the world working in restaurants. I packed up my small life and moved to Regina when I was 22 I got a sous chef position, and I was pumped. still working for other people never fulfilling my own dreams just doing what I loved.

I had kids and then everything came to a halt. I baked goodies out of my home and gave them away to friends and family then one of them said: “you know Krystle why don’t you sell your food?” I hadn’t even thought of that. I was never doing it for the money, I did it because sharing food and food that tastes good brings people together and brings joy and I want to share that with the world because I feel like there isn’t enough of it anymore. Think about it, at Christmas or Thanksgiving your surrounded by two things, family and food.

I had my fourth car accident when I was 30 and that was life-changing for me, I thought what In the hell do I want to do with my life, how can I spend the rest of it doing what I love, so I made myself a 5-year plan. I was going to own a food truck or a small diner. It didn’t happen in 5 years but in the 6th year I was approached by a childhood friend of mine. My phone rang, he said “I’ve got an opportunity for you that I don’t think your going to turn down”. I got all excited asking him to tell me what it was because the anticipation was killing me. He then said “how would you like to run your own kitchen?” “Are you shitting me I said” I had 2 weeks to get things together. It was GO time.

And that’s where we are now. I left my secure job of 9 years (not in the food industry) to live my dream. I get to cook for people and bring happiness to their belly, which makes my heart incredibly happy. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than hearing my customers say “ I found a butter tart like my grandma used to make” or “those desserts were the best we’ve ever had” or “that roast beef was so tender and delicious”

Like damn rights it is, because for me I’m a firm believer that if you have a passion for something it shows in the work you put into it. I don’t look at my job as a job, I don’t ever dread going into work, I get to do what I love every single day. You can taste the passion i have for what I do in my food, it is what love feels like when it hits your tastebuds.

If you haven’t given us a chance to cater one of your events or even tried some of our delicious baking your really missing out. I promise you , you won’t be disappointed.

Krystle Hagen

Benny's Bistro and Catering - Owner/Operator