Meet an IKEA Chef: Jeffrey Underhill

Jeffrey Underhill is the Kitchen Production Manager at the New Haven, Conn., IKEA store, responsible for feeding nearly 10,000 customers every week. We asked him to tell us about his background and favorite dishes.

How long have you been with IKEA?

As a customer, I've been with IKEA for years. My wife and I furnished our house with IKEA products, and eating at the IKEA restaurant was an important part of the days we spent shopping.

I started work at the Stoughton, Mass., store in the Bistro and the Swedish Food Market, so I've had experience in all areas of IKEA food service. I've been at the New Haven store for about one year.

What is your favorite Swedish dish at the IKEA restaurant?

I enjoy the meatballs, which are very authentic. I've noticed that many of the customers choose not to put lingonberries on the meatballs, and I wish I could persuade them to try it, perhaps on just a few of the meatballs. That's how the Swedes eat meatballs, and it's delicious.

My favorite cold dish is gravad lax salad with crisp bread. That's marinated salmon seasoned with salt, pepper and dill. I hope some of your readers will come in and try it.

And for customers who are looking for something more familiar?

We certainly have choices for them. We realize that customers spend hours at our stores, and they want something to eat that's tasty and inexpensive, especially if they've come with the whole family. The new Chicken Tenders are very popular among adults as well as children. And don't forget the Bistro. I'm proud of the hot dogs — they're delicious, and they're only 50 cents.

Do you cook with IKEA products at home?

Certainly. I'm often asked what IKEA cookware I use most at home, and I recommend the PYRA Wok, even for people who don't like to cook. It's inexpensive and incredibly versatile. As a chef, I'm really impressed by the PRAKTFULL Range, and I'm planning to put one in my home kitchen.

What do you suggest for a traditional Swedish Midsummer's Eve dinner?

I suggest browsing in the Swedish Food Market and trying something new and fun. We offer everything from frozen salmon to cheese to chocolates. The Food Market has everything for a simple traditional meatball dinner: a package of frozen meatballs, a packet of cream sauce, mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam. Just try some of the jam, right on the meatballs. You'll never eat them plain again!