JEFF KRAUS: THE CHEF PUTTING TEMPE ON THE MAP
Jeff Kraus has undeniable good energy, which translates into his work as a chef, and community member, making things happen for himself and those around him. Every morning before school, Jeff and his siblings had to call their mom, who was already at work, to tell her what they ate for breakfast. This daily ritual helped their mom make sure her kids went off to school, but it became something more for Jeff Kraus. Owner of Crêpe bar, a celebrated breakfast and lunch restaurant in Tempe, AZ, Chef Jeff Kraus
attributes his love and devotion of breakfast to his mother, and those morning’s before school. Kraus aligned his breakfast fondness with culinary space for creativity and growth. Jeff was called to Tempe by the dessert. On a layover with some friends after college, Jeff remembers he was inspired looking out at Arizona, so he decided to move. “It literally has been one of those things that I grew up with, it’s either you gotta cook or you gotta clean, so that kind of mindset has always been in my mind.” Food and cooking has always been a big part of Jeff’s life, the hospitality and culinary world found a way of drawing him back in.
While in Tempe, he was working in advertising. Kraus was only supposed to stay for a year, but when his request to transfer was interuppted, his stay was extended. During this time he was able to travel, and it was a trip to France that ignited a fire in him. “I had never had a true crêpe until I went to Paris” he remembers being inspired by all of the active vendors and street food at the markets. On the plane ride back to Arizona, he wrote up a menu, that would eventually become known by many, as one of the best restaurants in the Valley.
Kraus opened “Truckin Good Food” in January, of 2010. He was determined to change the way that people in the area thought about street food. Trucking Good Food, was the first gourmet, farm to table food truck in the Valley. For Jeff, it’s always been about helping the community. His efforts in building community and helping those around him hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2018, the Mayor of Tempe declared a Chef Jeff Kraus day. All the proceeds from the day go directly towards two major non-profit organizations that Jeff works with: Nourish Phoenix and Tempe community action agency. Jeff described the festivities with emphasis on having a day of fun, and celebrating the others around you. Jeff continues to help put the Arizona food scene on the map, nationally. Jeff notes “We’re just now getting a culinary voice, here in the valley, but I mean, it’s taken a long time.” With excellent food, and an even better ethos, crêpe bar is a special place, made through the efforts of a passionate leader.