10 Questions for Organicopia Executive Chef, Owner Molly Holbrook

Molly Holbrook, executive chef and owner of Organicopia, 22641 Oak Flat Rd.,  graduated from the prestigious California Culinary Academy, a Cordon Bleu accredited institution in 2005. Holbrook began Organicopia in 2004. She uses local and organic ingredients to create vegan and vegetarian dishes for her customers, be it for special occasions like wedding receptions or for their homes. She offers private chef services, as well as gourmet catering, event planning, weight management, meal balancing and private cooking lessons. Organicopia is a Community Supported Agriculture member working with Morris Family Grass Fed Beef, Claraville dairy farm, Marin Sun Farms and shopping at the farmers markets in Saratoga and Los Gatos. The business is open seven days a week 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Details: 408-892-0596, or chefholbrook@myorganicopia.com.

Los Gatos Patch: What did you dream of being as a kid?

Molly Holbrook: As a child it was a toss up. I either wanted to be a writer, or a gladiator.

Patch: How does your personality play into your business?

Holbrook: I am a hippie at heart. I'm an idealist to the core. I believe in changing this world, and healing the planet. Food just happens to be my medium for doing that. Food brings people together and makes everyone smile.

Patch: What inspired you?

Holbrook: I have big dreams and a restless spirit. I've always wanted to be famous. I've always wanted to do something creative. Put the two together and you've got Organicopia. Our goal is to be a household name by 2015 and I want to be the next Martha Stewart.

Patch: Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in the Town
of Los Gatos?

Holbrook: The biggest challenge for me is always growth. It'd be so easy to sit back and just coast, but I have a hard time accepting where I'm at. I'm always striving for the next level of success. For Organicopia, it means no rest for the weary and working hard to propel our company forward, building our brand and building our reputation as true to our core values.

Patch: Describe the best thing about owning a business in the town of Los
Gatos?

Holbrook: I love the sense of community. I love supporting the local businesses that help make our company successful and I love the people in our town who support us and believe in us.

Patch: What is one thing you would never change about your business?

Holbrook: I will never ever change the essence of what we are about ... educating our clients on caring about where their food comes from and teaching people to go back to our roots of how our grandparents used to do things—eating dinner together, as a family, growing a backyard garden, canning, and eating seasonally.

Patch: What is the essence of your business?

Holbrook: We are all about making really amazing meals for people and building relationships through food.

Patch: What is your business' greatest asset?

Holbrook: We have service that sparkles, an amazing rapport with our clients and the staff at Organicopia are all extraordinarily people oriented. They work because they love what they do, not because they have to. Without their enthusiasm and loyalty to this company we couldn't do what we do.

Patch: What is your favorite spot in town?

Holbrook: Right now, it's all about The Cats. I love the music, the service, the atmosphere and the history.

Patch: What's one thing the community should know about you?

Holbrook: I want to make this world a better place, and I believe that if we all do our part right in our own backyards, we can make miracles happen.  We can help people, help animals, and heal the planet.