In the kitchen with the 'Casual Chef'

Apr. 1—"About two years ago, after spending five days and nights in a mental hospital I got very sick physically," said Matthew Timoszyk. "The docs could not figure out what I had or what was wrong. I went through many blood tests and other tests. During this illness I became basically a vegetable, mentally. I laid on the couch in a vegetative state, I was not eating, not sleeping, and barely had bodily functions. This went on for several months."

Timoszyk is a professional member of the Education Theatre Association, also known as the International Thespian Society, and is a two-time recipient of the Sacramento Area Regional Theater Alliances "Elly" award for "Best Lighting Design" and has received a number of nominations and accolades from other organizations.

While working for Sacramento Theatrical Lighting, Timoszyk served as the lighting designer for the Bibleman U.S. Tour and worked with many other national tour groups such as Bill Graham Presents, Morpheus, Feld Entertainment, Barnum and Bailey Circus, and Disney on Ice. He has been credited in a number of features and short films and now runs Garage Studio Production Services, a full-service production and event company in Yuba City, alongside his wife, Robin Timoszyk.

Despite these apparent successes, Timoszyk admits to struggling with his mental health and subsequently burning a number of professional bridges. During his "vegetative" state, Timoszyk said he had little to no communication with the outside world. This went on for several months until his appetite slowly began to return.

"There was a day that I decided to get back into my kitchen," said Timoszyk. "I had not cooked a meal in my kitchen for over three years. But I somehow decided that it was time to get back into my kitchen. I started very slowly at first with just very basic dishes and lots of 'cheating' with ingredients. After a few months of the very basics, and getting my knife skills back in working order, I expanded my menu and how many times I was cooking meals per week."

In April of last year, Timoszyk began to embark on his own culinary adventure in which he would aim to not repeat any dish in the entire year. By June, he had re-branded himself as a not-for-profit Facebook group known as Casual Chef's Kitchen. Here he shares his passion for the culinary arts through recipes, dialogs, instructional videos, quick tips and other related content.

"I have also started to produce videos for the 'Young People's' series and for beginners to learn how to cook and prepare good-tasting food," added Timoszyk. "I have been developing recipes for people with special dietary needs for free. One of my favorite things to do is to help people to expand their culinary knowledge and skills and I have a handful of 'students' that are under my tutelage."

Now, one full year later, Timoszyk would consider himself quite successful in his cooking endeavors and has completed his "no repeat" goal with the exception of a few prime rib meals over the holidays. His mental and physical health are still on the road to recovery, however he said he is grateful for the love and support of his wife Robin and looks forward to keeping things cooking.

To follow his journey, search for "Casual Chef's Kitchen" on social media.