Meet Emily Campbell of The Elephant

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Campbell.

Hi Emily, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started my career as a CPA and worked in Manhattan, KS, for several years. After my husband’s career moved us to Seattle, I decided to explore my career opportunities and pursue cooking. My mom was an amazing cook, and I loved entertaining. The thought of a restaurant was so appealing as it is with so many people. I told myself that I first had to get technical training and as much experience as possible before completely making a change. So I went to culinary school at Le Cordon Blue, worked under some of the top chefs in Seattle (some of which have been featured on the food network), and studied the vast cultures of food. My husband, Doug, and I then decided to move back to our hometown to help with family businesses. In the meantime, I catered on the side and continued to strengthen my culinary skills. After a few years, a couple of good friends of ours inspired us to open The Elephant. With their help, we created a very eclectic restaurant that was somewhat “out of the ordinary” for Northwest Kansas. We developed an atmosphere that could be enjoyed with any occasion and created a food and cocktail menu that wasn’t too pretentious yet unique and classy. The name “The Elephant” came as a joint effort between our mutual friends, Doug and myself. The Elephant is the animal that leads all other animals to food and water – so we wanted to be the “watering hole” of Northwest Kansas. We also wanted to play off the saying” an elephant never forgets” in hopes that customers would never forget their experience here. Last but not least, my dad always told me to “eat The Elephant one bite at a time” when it came to challenging situations, so the name had a lot of meanings behind it.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The 4-year journey of The Elephant hasn’t been the smoothest but has been exciting and challenging. Fortunately and unfortunately, we are located in a very rural area, creating a small applicant pool. Still, at the same time, we have several community members who work a few nights a week or even a month to help ensure success for The Elephant. Nonetheless, the adequate staff is a constant challenge. The aftermath of COVID has also caused several issues, such as soaring food prices, lack of supply, transportation issues, and increased demand for higher wages. These issues have caused us to adjust our prices and change our menu offerings.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about The Elephant?
The journey of The Elephant began with a vision on a napkin and an appetite for a new experience. The pursuit of The Elephant is as large as the animal itself – to provide a unique and entertaining dining experience unlike anything found in Northwest Kansas. Elephants possess remarkable memories and can always be relied upon to lead other animals to food and water. Here at The Elephant, we draw influence from classic French techniques while incorporating cuisines across all cultures. Food is prepared from fresh, whole ingredients and will focus on eco-friendly products and practices; the Elephant strives to support local producers and businesses, creating a tight-niche community. There is a personal meaning behind every element in the restaurant. Every menu item is an adventure, and every picture tells a story. As you relax in one of the oldest buildings left in Hoxie, Kansas, you may notice salutes to our past. The tables are made from the wood floors of the apartment that once resided above. And the bar top was constructed from lanes of the nostalgic Hoxie bowling alley. Aside from the past, The Elephant creates a destination that patrons will continue to migrate to in the future. A space people will come to share in and celebrate with. From the food and drinks to the service and atmosphere, The Elephant will support the local community and serve as a gathering spot for the entire region. The Elephant is well known for its dry-aged steaks (sourced from America’s Best Steaks in Bogue, KS), bison steaks (sourced from Hidden Creek Ranch and F&R Ranch of Northwest Kansas), 100% full-blood wagyu (sourced from Plum Creek Wagyu in Seward, NE), and Pork (sourced from C-Bar Company in Selden, KS). Our eclectic menu offers everything from house-grilled flatbread pizzas to fresh salads (utilizing lettuce from 4B Farms hydroponic greenhouse) to housemade mac & cheese (utilizing cheese from Wiebe Dairy in Durham, KS). Our menu changes seasonally, and we offer weekly specials centered around local ingredients.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I wanted to be involved in everything! Fortunately, because I lived in a rural area, I had the opportunity to do that. I participated in about every sport possible, volleyball being my passion and future collegiate sport. I was involved in music, theater, journalism, scholastic, and religious groups. I grew up in a family business, so I was also working there throughout the summers. Entrepreneurship tends to run in our family. I have always had a huge passion for helping others and owning my own business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theelephantbistrobar.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theelephantbistrobar/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theelephantbistrobar
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-elephant-bistro-and-bar-hoxie

Image Credits
https://bowcreekphotography.weebly.com/