Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian & Jacquie Hove.
Hi Brian & Jacquie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Chef Brian & Jacquie met in 2000 at the Omaha Regency Marriott. Chef Brian was steadily climbing the corporate Chef ladder while Jacquie was finishing her studio art degree at the University of Nebraska Omaha. We settled in Smithville Missouri in 2008. The perfect community to raise our two sons, Kobe & Zach. (KoZak’s) With our combined years of service and hospitality knowledge we took a high stakes leap to bring our vision and talents to life. We opened KoZak’s Laketown Grill in November 2013. KoZak’s is family owned and operated. We offer an approachable and affordable menu for families to enjoy. Our business is rooted in a strong community. We have credited much of our success to the people who work for us and those who continue to support our small business. Without them-there is no us.
With nearly 13 years in business we have had our share of success and our failures. Some ideas came to life and some didn’t but we never stopped dreaming of what’s next. In June of 2024 we opened Grassroots Garden Lounge in charming downtown Smithville. Grassroots is a fusion of our talents, memories and influences. Chef Brian chose the name Grassroots Garden Lounge in homage to Jacquie’s favorite 311 album, a soundtrack to when they first met. Several of the small plate offerings are from various menus that Chef Brian created over the years. The Shrimp Cargot and the Blackened Crab Cakes were recipes he developed while working at The Mansion at Marriott’s Griffin Gate Resort in Lexington, Kentucky. The cocktails are classics that we put our own spin on. We want people to experience a refined palate. The cocktails are all named after songs we have a connection to. We wanted to create an inviting and curated environment to showcase Jacquie’s visionary instinct and Chef Brian’s cuisine.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Owning and operating a business is never linear. You have to overcome and adapt to the constant changes/trends/economy and maybe even a pandemic.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are both artists. Jacquie’s art is primarily displayed on canvas or a room whereas Brian’s art is usually plated. We are both very visionary people.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Spending time outdoors with my friends and family.
Contact Info:
- Website: kozakslaketowngrill.com & grassrootsloungesmithville.com
- Instagram: kozaksgrill & grassroots_gardenlounge
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/kozaksgrill
