I can say my life purpose was being a professional soccer player and also I was on the way to becoming one, from walking to school as a child to show case tournaments aboard, there was always a soccer ball at my feet. One could say that all I thought about was soccer and was very well on the way making my dreams come true by making into the big leagues. Then one day I woke up in a hospital bed with a broken pelvis and multiple fractures to my spine after being hit by a drunk driver walking to school. Being bedridden for over 3 months then on crutches for another 3, I spent most of my time at home during my rehabilitation. During this time I found my passion for cooking.
This is where my story begins, I spent a tremendous amount of time in my parents very small 5 foot by 10 foot kitchen. Working in this very confine space, preparing meals for my 8 person family, I would constantly fantasize about designing my dream kitchen, with floor to ceiling cabinetry, a cook top grill stove, all the latest stainless steel appliances, and most importantly all the counter top space I need for food preparation.
I’m big on family as I’m sure most of you are and take pride in designing and building a kitchen oasis for families spend time with each other. I grew up in a small suburb in Ontario. My mother and my father play a major role on who I am today. My mom worked 60 hours a week but when she had free time she was always in the kitchen preparing a meal for the family. Eager to spend quality time with her I was there right by her side helping or in most cases pretending to be the head chef and she was my sous-chef (but we all know mom knows all the best recipes). My dad ran the family owned Construction Company where I worked since I was 14. Spending quality time with my mom made me passionate in the kitchen and working with my dad allowed me to develop a strong work ethic and exceptional carpentry skills. The valuable time spent with both my mom and dad has given me the skills set and vision to build quality kitchen spaces for families to enjoy and come together, as I did with mine.
Robert Jaipaul