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Hey there, I’m KO (Katelin), the face behind Bowls by KO. I’m so happy to have you here!
Here’s a little bit about me and how I got here.
Early Days
I grew up in my dad’s ice cream stores in Connecticut, watching him run a business that always felt like family. I started cooking in middle school when I discovered the food network and realized I didn’t have to eat tacos from a box and Ragu on rotation for the rest of my life (sorry mom). I fell in love with learning new recipes and cooking for people.
I struggled with eating disorders from my early teens through my twenties. During the same years I experienced hormonal health issues that led to a PCOS diagnosis. I constantly felt like I was fighting my body and looking for fixes for my weight and my health. Fad diets, excessive workouts, supplements, you name it, I tried it all. I was so consumed by “being healthy” that I couldn’t see how much stress my obsession was putting on my body and my mind.
2017
In 2017 my dad got diagnosed with cancer and lost his battle a year later. That year put a lot into perspective for me about what was really important in life. I ended up quitting my corporate job in Boston and moving to Denver to be with my two best friends from childhood. I started over, and started to do things that made me truly happy.
I slowly learned how to eat intuitively, and a huge part of that process was re-learning how to cook food that was nourishing and that I actually wanted to eat. I started to write down recipes, cook for my friends, and post my food on instagram. I realized quickly how much joy it brought me to share both my food and my story with others.
2019
In 2019 I decided to try and turn my passion into a business. I started a small meal delivery service customized for allergies and dietary restrictions. I started a website and posted my meal plans on instagram. Once I had a few clients I went all in, I got into a commissary kitchen, picked up three part-time jobs to pay the bills and poured all my energy into making Bowls by KO a real concept.
2020
When the pandemic hit in 2020 I had the opportunity to buy a food truck. I figured people needed access to nourishing food more than ever and since no one was going to restaurants, a food truck felt like the perfect start. I found a crowd-funding loan platform, bought the truck and hit the streets of Denver that summer. The food truck experience was really the proof of concept. I felt so welcomed and supported by the community, and found that there was really a gap for allergen-friendly, whole food that was also affordable and convenient.
2022
By 2022 I was itching to get our food in a full time location. I was introduced to the team at Avanti and asked to join the food hall. I built a team, honed in our menu, and got to test out our concept in a stall. Bowls by KO was so welcomed by the community and it's been an incredible experience to watch it grow.
2025
After almost 6 years and 3 different models, the Bowls by KO vision came to life with our first standalone restaurant. I'm unbelievably excited to have our own space to welcome the community I love into. We've expanding the concept with an inviting dining room and patio, beer & wine, a bigger menu with baked goods and grab & go items. Everything is a little bigger and better, but the bowls are the same! We can't wait to feed you :)
Hey there, I’m KO (Katelin), the face behind Bowls by KO. I’m so happy to have you here!
Here’s a little bit about me and how I got here.
Early Days
I grew up in my dad’s ice cream stores in Connecticut, watching him run a business that always felt like family. I started cooking in middle school when I discovered the food network and realized I didn’t have to eat tacos from a box and Ragu on rotation for the rest of my life (sorry mom). I fell in love with learning new recipes and cooking for people.
I struggled with eating disorders from my early teens through my twenties. During the same years I experienced hormonal health issues that led to a PCOS diagnosis. I constantly felt like I was fighting my body and looking for fixes for my weight and my health. Fad diets, excessive workouts, supplements, you name it, I tried it all. I was so consumed by “being healthy” that I couldn’t see how much stress my obsession was putting on my body and my mind.
2017
In 2017 my dad got diagnosed with cancer and lost his battle a year later. That year put a lot into perspective for me about what was really important in life. I ended up quitting my corporate job in Boston and moving to Denver to be with my two best friends from childhood. I started over, and started to do things that made me truly happy.
I slowly learned how to eat intuitively, and a huge part of that process was re-learning how to cook food that was nourishing and that I actually wanted to eat. I started to write down recipes, cook for my friends, and post my food on instagram. I realized quickly how much joy it brought me to share both my food and my story with others.
2019
In 2019 I decided to try and turn my passion into a business. I started a small meal delivery service customized for allergies and dietary restrictions. I started a website and posted my meal plans on instagram. Once I had a few clients I went all in, I got into a commissary kitchen, picked up three part-time jobs to pay the bills and poured all my energy into making Bowls by KO a real concept.
2020
When the pandemic hit in 2020 I had the opportunity to buy a food truck. I figured people needed access to nourishing food more than ever and since no one was going to restaurants, a food truck felt like the perfect start. I found a crowd-funding loan platform, bought the truck and hit the streets of Denver that summer. The food truck experience was really the proof of concept. I felt so welcomed and supported by the community, and found that there was really a gap for allergen-friendly, whole food that was also affordable and convenient.
2022
By 2022 I was itching to get our food in a full time location. I was introduced to the team at Avanti and asked to join the food hall. I built a team, honed in our menu, and got to test out our concept in a stall. Bowls by KO was so welcomed by the community and it's been an incredible experience to watch it grow.
2025
After almost 6 years and 3 different models, the Bowls by KO vision came to life with our first standalone restaurant. I'm unbelievably excited to have our own space to welcome the community I love into. We've expanding the concept with an inviting dining room and patio, beer & wine, a bigger menu with baked goods and grab & go items. Everything is a little bigger and better, but the bowls are the same! We can't wait to feed you :)
