15 minutes with Michael Kingsley

What year did you graduate from Bluffton High School?

I graduated in the year 2000. Our whole class thought it was special to graduate in 2000.

Growing up in a small town, was it difficult to adjust to living in a city?

Not as much as I thought it was going to be. I love small towns and enjoy the friendships you can have with a lot of people. Being able to know the majority of people in your town is nice. But I really enjoy being and meeting new people. It makes life exciting and fun. The worst part about the city life is the driving. Too many people in too many cars. I wish more people would use the buses but they don't. I am lucky that I can ride my bike to work everyday. I do miss Bluffton though.

What was the most difficult adjustment you had to make?

I would say trying to keep my life simple. In a small town life to me seems slower. People relax a little more and talk. Here everyone is on the move all the time. And its easy to get caught up in that. That's why visits to the Kingsley farm in Bluffton are planned as much as possible.

I understand you are a chef at Rosander Kitchen, Berea. What's your favorite dish that you like to prepare?

I enjoy all of what we make. But if I had to pick one it would be the Asiago and Fig Ravioli with Pork Belly and Sage. The aroma in the kitchen when it is being made in wonderful. Everything is from scratch. That's how we do it at Rosander.

Do you ever get to take home left overs?

Yes I do. And I have realized that is the main reason I can't get up and down that basketball court like I use to. I better slow down on the left overs! My wife and kids enjoy that too.

What's the busiest night of the week at the restaurant? How many dishes might you prepare on your busy night?

Thursday or Friday. Our restaurant is smaller than most of the other restaurants around, so it gets busy, but not hectic. On a good day I may make 15 to 20. Our menu is small and really planned out. This gives us the time to really put 110% on every dish we do. If you have to many dishes on a menu its hard to do that. We add new dishes every month. So we are continuously thinking ahead and putting new recipes together.

Did you ever think you'd being doing this for a living?

I have always enjoyed the kitchen. I remember always being involved with the dinner preparations at home when I was very young. My mother loves to cook and she would let me help. Later in life I had work other jobs, but was not truly happy with them. I finally realized that I love cooking so much that why don't I make it my career. So I went to culinary school in Pittsburgh. I enjoyed school there very much. The chefs and instructors were great. So, today I can say I don't mind going to work. I look forward to it.

Tell me about your family.

My wife's name is Stephanie and she is an accountant for an adoption agency. She is a Bluffton University grad, and was also on the softball team there. She keeps busy by being involved in many church activities and coaches T-ball. Our two girls, Faith and Makayla, 7 and 5, are a joy to be around. They are very active and keep me on my toes. They enjoy school and sports. I am grateful to be their father and an proud of them.

Where did you meet your wife?

I met Steph while I was attending Bluffton University. She caught my eye while she was taping my ankle for a game. Since she was a trainer we were around each other a lot. So, that was nice!

You played just about every sport while at Bluffton HS...soccer, football and basketball (track?). What was your favorite?

Well, I enjoyed all of them. I played soccer for two years then went to football. But I would have to say basketball was my favorite, since I played it for four years. It was fun playing with a lot of different people, through those four years. My favorite year was my senior year. A lot of us had been playing for together for awhile and that year was great for us. I wish it could of lasted longer but every good thing comes to an end. We had a great coach and team.

What was it like when you hit three three-point baskets against Bowling Green State University when you were playing for Bluffton University?

That was fun! If I remember I broken my finger in a previous game and came into that game not wanting to really shoot. For some reason three went in that game. I wont forget that experience. It was great. Thanks to Coach Neal for getting us that game! We were ahead at half time. But their strength, quickness, and height got us in the end.

Do you keep in touch with any of your classmates?

Yes, primarily on Face book but I do. Everybody lives so far away its hard. I wish I could keep in better touch with more of them. I do talk to my good friend Ben Luginbuhl a lot. He is doing well in Portland. I hope to get to the next class reunion to see more classmates.

Has anyone from Bluffton stopped in the restaurant where you work?

Yes. My parent Phil and Judy, come up quit often and that is fun. Recently The Luginbuhl family came up and that was great, too. I really enjoyed that. Being far away its hard for people to come. But if there up to it they will enjoy a great meal.

Can you remember who you sat beside in the first grade? Who was your teacher?

I cannot remember who I sat beside, but I was in the front row. For some reason I need to be watched! My wonderful teacher was Sue Schaaf. I remember having a lot of fun and learning a lot. It was nice being in the same grade as her daughter, Abigail. We were friend so I was able to see Sue a lot throughout my years in school in Bluffton. We had some fun times at there place growing up Sue and Tom were great.

Did you play basketball at BFR?

Yes. I played but don't recall the team name. I think Brad Wietholter was our coach. I really enjoyed those times. I think that is when I really started to like basketball and learned a lot in those days. Brad was a good coach because he was into it. And that helped me out a lot. The BFR had a good thing going with that and because it, I think really produce some good players and teams for Bluffton.