KAY CONKLIN?

Kay Conklin lives a foodie's dream.

Her husband, Cory, is manager of the Wichita Country Club. Her business partner, Jamie Stratton, is one of the city's leading wine experts.

And she spends her days baking scones, freezing gelato and concocting soups at one of Wichita's most popular and trendy neighborhood coffee shops -- Caffe Posto at 4714 E. Douglas. (And she throws big gumbo parties in her free time.)

Conklin, a Florida native whose varied career has included stints in the military and in managing everything from an architect's office to the opening of a Disney golf resort, describes herself as a "food nerd."

But until she opened Caffe Posto, where she's responsible for day-to-day operations, her career hadn't included much food preparation.

In a short amount of time, Conklin has become an expert on all manners of soup, gelato and quiche making. Her lemon bars have developed a bit of a cult following.

Conklin recently took a break from her busy basement kitchen to answer a few questions (though she wants it made clear that she does not in any way consider herself a chef).

How did you first become interested in food?

"It was being fortunate enough to have two completely different sets of grandparents, both very good cooks. There was the very traditional on one side, kind of Yankee cooking. And there was very Southern on the other side."

What are your most indispensable kitchen tools?

"A big stockpot. It is a four-gallon pot that when it is full of soup is very heavy. Also a stick blender. I can stick it in a pot and turn anything into a soup or a sauce."

What's your most indispensable kitchen ingredient?

"Butter. Real butter -- there's nothing like it."

What do you cook when you're at home?

"We very rarely cook at home. With both of us being in the hospitality industry, it's very seldom that we're home to cook. But the one thing I do take pride in every year is throwing a big gumbo party. Everyone eats too much and drinks too much, and it's a great time."

What's your favorite dish?

"I like it when my husband grills filets and veggies and I don't have to cook. That's my favorite meal."

Are there any foods you don't like?

"I am not a big sauerkraut fan... I can't even get past the smell of it to even try to eat it."

Besides your restaurant, where do you like to eat out in Wichita?

"If it's just the two of us, we like to go to Chester's Chophouse. If we're going out with a big group of friends, it's Luciano's (in Mulvane). If I'm by myself or it's my birthday, it's sashimi at Sumo."

What's the best thing about the dining scene in Wichita?

"I think Wichita has a lot more diversity than people think. We have a lot of little independent restaurants in shopping centers that people don't even know about or aren't brave enough to try."

What's your philosophy about your job?

"I've always told the staff that I would never ask them to do something I would not do. And I would never prepare anything for anyone that I'm not willing to eat myself."

Who is

Age

37

Personal

Married to Wichita Country Club manager Cory Conklin

Hometown

Boynton Beach, Fla.

If you go

CAFFE POSTO

What: A small, cozy neighborhood coffee shop specializing in soups, salads, sandwiches, gelato and coffee drinks

Where: 4717 E. Douglas, 316-683-7678

Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays

On the Web: Conklin shares information about the store through her Twitter account, www.twitter.com/caffeposto. The store's Web site is www.caffeposto.com.