James Larson always wanted to be a chef, but could not afford to go to a high-end cooking school. Instead, he purchased culinary textbooks and took jobs in kitchens to get experience. He spent the next fifteen plus years working in Lincoln, New York City and California in restaurants and grocery stores before finally opening his own restaurant, Grateful Greens, in downtown Lincoln last year.
Grateful Greens Gourmet Chopped Salads offers the finest salads in Lincoln. Customers may choose a salad or that is designed for them or build their own and have it served in a bowl or wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. They also offer Panini sandwiches and soups, organic snacks, fantastic cookies and other desserts and a selection of drinks including beer and wine.
Tell us a little about your family.
Pam and I have a house here in Lincoln. My parents and my grandmother live in Lincoln. My sister, brother-in-law and my nephews live in Omaha. Pam’s parents are in Grand Island and her siblings live in Lincoln and Grand Island.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
When I started training under Dr. Schmidt at Jinbukan Dojo on UNL city campus.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
BBQ something or work in the garden. I enjoy hiking or biking at Wilderness Park. I also enjoy spending time at my friend Drew’s cabin, when I have the time.
What are you the most proud of?
My family and friends, the honor of having been able to train at Jinbukan Dojo and what we have created at Grateful Greens.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Shut up and practice!”
What is the one goal you would most like to accomplish?
To take care of my family, to grow Grateful Greens into a company with multiple locations without losing our focus on quality.
How would your friends describe you?
I hear “nice” a lot. I try to be. I’m not always, but I try to be.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would like to be able to make perfect food every time. I still make mistakes.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would get back in shape. I guess that means I wish I were more disciplined.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
All I read anymore are cookbooks.
What is your favorite TV show?
I don’t watch TV. I mean, I’ve seen it before, but I don’t have a favorite show. I am pretty ignorant about what is on TV today. Back in the day I watched a lot of X-Files.
What is your favorite Lincoln restaurant?
I’m not going to count my restaurant. Others that I like include: Super Taco, Yang’s Cafe, Pepe’s, China Inn, Panda Garden, Pho Nyugen, Yia Yia’s, Blue Orchid, Dish, Dozo, The Watering Hole, Maggie’s, Bread & Cup, Doozy’s, DaVinci’s, D’Leon’s on 27th & Randolph, Mazatlan, El Toro, La Mexicana, El Chapparo @ 13th & F, African Restaurant LLC and Runza (although they really need to offer hot sauce at their restaurants. I can’t eat French fries without hot sauce and ketchup.)
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
I think I would rather have dinner with a person from the future.
What is your website?
We can be found at www.gratefulgreenssalad.com