Star City Six: Barrie Kuhn

Venue Restaurant & Lounge (yourvenue.net) is a locally owned fine dining restaurant featuring unique scratch-made dishes, an outstanding catering program, and a full service lounge with over 200 wines and crafted cocktails. Barrie Kuhn is the Bar Manager at Venue Restaurant & Lounge.

How did you get started in the business?

I got my first serving job 12 years ago while I was going to school at UNL. I started at Venue in the fall of 2009 as a server and bartender. I have been in my current position for the past 5 years, while also filling the mixologist and now most recently, the Sommelier role for the restaurant.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

Passing the Certified Sommelier exam in June! This has been something that I have been studying for and working towards since I took the introductory course in 2015. It’s such a relief to have this goal accomplished. I plan on continuing to study and to hopefully attempt the next level exam in the future.

Tell us a little about your family.

My husband Adam and I celebrated our 7th anniversary this year. We have two very big fur babies, who are both rescues. Hank is a Great Pyrenees/Shepard mix, and Duke is a Bloodhound mix. They are both pretty spoiled dogs and definitely keep us busy!

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?

I love to go to get coffee and wander around Barnes & Noble for a bit. I have more books than I could ever read! My husband and I just purchased kayaks, so we are looking forward to getting out in those this summer. Or just taking the dogs for a walk and getting a drink with friends. Getting a nap in is always a plus!

What are you the most proud of?

Being part of a growing business that has also become part of my family.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?

Original.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life?

I started playing the piano when I was in Kindergarten and kept taking lessons through high school and into college. I was also in drumline in high school and my freshman year in college.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?

Musician. I would love to be a concert pianist or to be a member of an orchestra.

If you had a super power, what would it be?

Time travel.

What is your favorite book, or the last good book you read?

I’m usually reading a few books at the same time. Right now I’m reading In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware; Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker; and Ester the Wonder Pig by Caprice Crane, Derek Walter, and Steve Jenkins.

What is your favorite movie?

Lonesome Dove.

What is your favorite TV show?

Friends.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Venue of course!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

Email: barrie@yourvenue.net; Website: yourvenue.net.