Cleavers & Cleavage: A Chef Uncovered

Olga Watkins stands in the tiny kitchen at the Monterey Pub effortlessly slicing strawberries as if she's hosting a casual soiree for five friends. The casual observer would have no inkling that she's about feed upward of 250 customers.

"Last night we got slammed," Watkins smiles. "But I guess I'm used to it."

Considering she's cooked on a Navy base, yeah, she's accustomed to pressure. And considering she's performed musically almost all of her life, yeah, she can prepare 50 New York strips, 30 servings of salmon and 40 orders of crab legs. Most of us would break out in flop sweat arranging a cheese & crackers platter.

Many ingredients go into Watkins personal pot. She stirs in a lifetime of musical talent and kitchen know-how. She tosses in a longtime love affair with cooking. Add many dashes of humor and you've got all that is Olga, the self-described "Diva, Bombshell, Kitchen Goddess & Vocalist Extraordinaire." She's also not shy about proclaiming that the stove isn't the only rack she enjoys flaunting (see photo).

Nothing in Watkin's life simmers on the back burner. Naps are required after hearing her frantic schedule. A typical day might have Watkins doing a live (singing!) chef demo in the morning at Hillmon Appliance in Cranberry Township then changing out of an apron into a sultry frock and performing with Olga's Soul Kitchen, her blues jazz and soul ensemble, at the Crawford Grill in Station Square. She's also fits in time for her gig as interim chef at the Monterey Pub. Oh yes, and she a mom to daughter Ella. Oh and a caterer. And right, a party planner.

Phew.

Classically trained in music and vocals (we're talking opera and violin, honey), Watkins learned to cook before she could read. While most American kids ate burgers and fries, Watkins family were creating multicultural feasts. Her parents, both ministers, lived in a large parsonage and sponsored families and was exposed to international cooking before she was tall enough to reach the cookie jar. "We hosted families from all over--Malaysia, Thailand, and Uganda--and we all cooked together." She's taken that self-taught skills into many area restaurants.

Now she shares her own kitchen with Ella, who seems to have inherited her mom's singing skills (view "Diva Jr.'s" rendition of the Alphabet Song on Watkins website www.olgawatkins.com). The next Kitchen Goddesses is already in training.

--Colleen Van Tassell

Check out Watkins' online calendar for her upcoming projects which include cooking classes at Whole Foods Market in Pittsburgh and In the Kitchen in Wexford as well as a demonstration series for health fairs in the greater Pittsburgh area. On June 10 catch Watkins band on the KDKA Morning Show from 8 to 9 a.m.

(photos: slasher, masher, billboard, cover girl)