Name
Nathan Splese
Company/Organization
Mr. Gyro’s
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
We are a small family owned business that specializes in Greek cuisine. Of course Gyro sandwiches, however we have much much more classic Greek-American options.
Age
29
Accomplishments
-Cooked ox tail stew for the prime Minister of Zimbabwe during 2012 democratic national convention.
-Culinary arts degree from Johnson & Wales university in Charlotte NC
-Head Chef at Silver Harbor Brewing company in downtown St. Joseph Michigan when moving back home.
-Started a craft sauce and seasoning venture with Alex Gallert the original Mullet Man.
-Took over Mr. Gyro’s in 2018.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
I hope to have a big family with my wife Mercedes, maybe open another business doing something I love!
Education
Graduation from st. Joseph high school in 2011, Johnson & Wales University in 2015
What Town Do You Reside In?
St. Joseph
Where were you born?
St. Joseph
What was your first job?
Haha, actually it was Bistro on the Boulevard with chef Ali Barker way back when. After that I was holding down the line at Papa Vino’s while still attending high school.
Best advice you ever got?
Always do better today, than what you did yesterday. This was from Aaron Moore, and while it may not have ment much at the time, it still resignates today. Also my Pops taught me that even though you may think your working hard and doing a great job, remember there are many more people out there ready to prove you wrong.
Who inspires you most?
My wife. She is constantly pushing me forward even after I doubt myself. She has no problem telling me my food socks when it really does.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
I am a huge nerd! I love it all from trading cards, video games, comic books or manga, anime, you name it!
What do you love to do in your downtime?
Like I mentioned before I love trading cards and collectables and recently started my second business called Mythics where I specialize in selling those items regularly! Right now I sell at a booth in a local antique store called Tallulah Jean’s!
What book are you reading now?
Many many comic books, my favorite though has got to be spiderman at the moment.
Volunteer activity you love the most.
I don’t volunteer much. Last time was at a non profit called classroom central. This was a place that teachers could go to aquire goods for their classroom that the schools will not provide at no cost to the teacher. It was my role to “move products” so I was the guy trying to get you to do creative things with an out of date calendar…..
What motivates you to give back to your community?
I love inspiring young chefs in the area to continue their career in culinary arts! Even getting them interested in a new hobby such as collecting trading cards is very rewarding!
What Superpower would you most love to have? (for example, the ability to fly or to be invisible, or incredible strength, etc)
What a loaded question! I have given this some thought however and I would have to say I always thought Static Shock had the coolest power to be able to control electricity! Short circuit phones or move through the air by moving electrons!
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
I would like to leave my mark on the food scene here in southwest Michigan. I had a choice when I was younger to move across country and work in very nice restaurants however I turned that down to be with family. I never once regret my decision but I would love to collaborate with a local venue to host a culinary arts cooking competition for Southwest Michigan. Not only do I believe there are alot of hungry talented chefs from here to Kalamazoo but there is no venue for them to show off their skill. I believe having something like that will encourage more people to want to leave a legacy of food behind them!
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
It means that the community is more support than ill ever know. I grew up thinking that you need nothing but skill and hard work ethic and you will make it anywhere you go. It wasn’t until recently that I learned that besides skill and hard work a community of people who support you, what you stand for, what your business stands for really defines your success. If not for my community of supporters who loved Mr. Gyros before or those who love it now I would be nothing without them. To be honest too I didn’t even know this award was given had my community not stepped up again to support me and put my name in the drawing!
