Recently we had the pleasure to sit down with Kylie Bearse, the Fox 31 morning meteorologist. She’s also the founder and creator of Approachable Outdoors, a non-profit resource to help inspire and educate those looking to get outside.
Bearse has a love for food and the local restaurant scene, often attending openings and events. As she gets ready to host a fundraiser for her non-profit, we sat down with the meteorologist to learn more about her, Approachable Outdoors, and where she likes to eat.
First up, Mead St. Provisions, a Highland sandwich shop and butchery that’s been serving since 1994 thanks to co-owner Simone Burke and her family. We both got the Staten Island ($15.50) sandwich, a lovely take on Italian with black forest ham, mortadella, pickled onion, provolone, giardiniera, arugula, red wine vinaigrette, and garlic aioli on ciabatta bread. Plus a side of blistered shoshito peppers. With our lucky number 13 order number in hand, Bearse, me, and Brewster the puppy took a seat on the small patio in front.
Tell me a little bit of why you picked this place.
So, do you remember when there was a man going around on trails exposing himself to women? Well I frequently go hiking by myself and it made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to find a women’s self-defense workshop and also made a little swag bag that had pepper spray and stuff in it.
I stopped by Mead Street Provisions to buy a bunch of sandwiches [for the group], and I was like, these are really good. It’s always packed here on the patio too. They ended up donating sandwiches to the cause, and I just appreciate when local businesses help. Even though the margins are thin, they are always so eager to step up.
How long have you been a meteorologist?
Almost 13 years now. I started right out of college. I’m up at 3 a.m. every day and then off at 11 a.m., Monday through Friday. So yeah, I’m tired a lot. But, we’re out here on the porch during a beautiful Wednesday, so there are perks.
I want to talk a little bit about your fundraiser and the cause behind it. It’s coming up on June 11, right?
Yes, Approachable Outdoors Benefit Bash is on June 11, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Los Chingones, RiNo. I started the program about four years ago. The idea behind it was to be a hiking resource website, but also a way to talk about the intimidation of getting outside. Then, talking about mental health, physical health, and everything.
Something I’ve wanted to do since the beginning is have some sort of community impact. So I did my first fundraiser a few years ago where I sold shirts and donated to a local charity. And so this year, all the money is going back to The Morgan Adams Foundation, which is a children’s cancer research center.
Why did you choose that charity?
I have a big background volunteering at Children’s Hospital. So it’s something I’m very passionate about that’s dear to my heart.
Tell us a little about the fundraising event.
It’s on June 11th at the RiNo location of Los Chingones, [tickets are $30, and you can purchase them here]. Chef Troy is amazing. He was funny actually, a few months ago he’s like, when are we doing another fundraiser? I did the first one with them, so the group is great.
What can we expect?
It’s a super casual happy hour drop in on the rooftop. It’s nice, and kind of a cool chance to get together. I usually have merchandise there that you can buy, and we do different raffles. I’ve got a couple different things to raffle like a full set of tires, Vail and Breckenridge Wine Classic tickets, a stay at Grand Hyatt Vail, Oakwell Beer Spa package, and more. It’s a very casual fundraiser. Plus, I’ll be selling an Approachable Outdoors cap for $36.
Is this raffle something people can donate to online?
Well, I’m going to do one for people who buy the merchandise and then send it out. Right now I’m putting together my favorite, like hiking gear in a backpack. So I’ve got a hiking backpack to give away with a couple of things. So yeah, there’s going to be some online.
Okay, we need to know how, when, why, and where you got your adorable puppy?
Brewster came from a reservation. The rescue team came on the show to promote their fundraiser for the animals. He was one of the most popular. They were like, well, he’s got a bunch of other applications. And so I got mine in that day and he was brought up a couple days later. It’s just been the best decision, he is so fun.
Okay, now that the puppy is out of the way, though adorably under our feet, I want to talk about what brought us together, food. How did you get into the restaurant scene and why do you love it?
Well, it’s funny because I’m thinking back to when I was little and I was a fairly picky eater. Like, I wouldn’t eat red sauce. So if we got pizza, I didn’t want red sauce on it. I did want it on lasagna though. Then, when I moved here, I was actually working for the NBC station and they were starting a new food series and I raised my hand.
I love it because I’ve always been a huge fan of supporting local restaurants in general. I think they’re just such a huge part of our community and our economy. All the chefs I know give back so much. I think it’s really important to tell and share their stories.
I hadn’t done any type of food coverage before, and definitely, more or less, just like eating and trying the food. And then find out the story behind the chef and what makes it unique. I did that for about three or four years, but unfortunately I am just on TV too much to do any work with the stories now. But I’m still lucky enough to be a part of the community.
You’re pretty active on social media and I feel like I see you eating all the time.
Yeah, I get that comment. It’s always eating and drinking. I think it’s worth it. I mean, obviously food is so good, but to be able to help new restaurants get off the ground is great.
What are some of the places you like to go?
Oh, goodness. It’s like asking a parent to pick a favorite child, right?
Ha! I didn’t say pick your favorite, which is the worst question I know, I get it all the time. Just name some places you really enjoy going to. Let’s start with sushi.
I do really love Uchi. I know it’s technically out of Austin. They do have a killer happy hour. But there’s also Sushi Den. I think their story is one of the coolest, it’s about the three brothers and one of them was, you know, literally in Japan at the fish market. That’s my local choice.
Okay, so your current favorite or recommended patio spot?
Blackbelly Market & Restaurant, I love the patio. Zuni St. Brewing too, they’ve got a great back patio.
Next, a cocktail hot spot?
The Family Jones Spirit House. The cocktails are great, and it’s all made there. I was there on a snowy day watching it fall through the giant window, and I think it’s one of the most beautiful spots.
Do you think you’ll ever go back to producing food stories?
They don’t want me off the air to go do that. There are no more hours in the day at this point.
What cuisine do you gravitate towards?
In general I would say Italian, but that was before I had to go tragically dairy free last year. It took a while to realize what was making me sick and to get things out of my system. I think it took a full year. But I still can have sushi and ramen, so it’s all good. And local restaurants are awesome.
Catch up on our last Dining Out With interview, featuring Adrian Miller, the Soul Food Scholar.
