The Underground Kitchen

The Underground Kitchen is experiential dining. It has been called the “most exclusive dining ticket in town.” Our luxurious, intimate, themed events feature four- to seven-course menus created by some of the top emerging chefs in the country. Typically, the locations of our events remain “underground” until forty-eight hours prior to the event to heighten excitement and intrigue.

We give our chefs carte blanche to go beyond their culinary comfort zones to create unforgettable menus that leave a lasting impression.

Bringing chefs, farmers, and niche purveyors closer to our guests is customary at UGK events. We strive to educate consumers about where their food comes from, the history and influences that make our chefs unique, and the care and expertise that is exercised in presenting their dining experience.

Our Philosophy

The Underground Kitchen believes that great creativity, synergy, and success comes when people are given the opportunity to showcase their skills and be challenged in new ways. UGK is dedicated to promoting a diverse group of chefs, most often seeking out those who are typically underrepresented in the culinary world. We strive to educate our chefs not just about preparation and presentation, but also the business of running a kitchen, partnering with local vendors, farmers, wineries, and constantly evaluating their standards to keep them to the highest level.

In addition, we are committed to educating our guests; about where their food comes from, about how pairings are created, how menus are developed, the details of gourmet techniques, and about the unique backgrounds, talents, and offerings of our chefs, vendors, sponsors, and farmers.

Meet Our Team

Micheal Sparks

Founder, CEO of Underground Kitchen

Micheal Sparks is an internationally known design and branding expert, counting among his clients a range of high-end retail and fashion establishments, well-known celebrities, and world-class organizations including Louis Vuitton, International Council of Fine Arts Deans, Virginia Commonwealth University and Institute for Contemporary Art.

In 2013, Micheal channeled his considerable talents into the creation of The Underground Kitchen. UGK originated as community pop up dinner series in 2013 in Richmond, Va. Since then, it has expanded to nearly 30 cities across the Southeast while maintaining its community-driven philosophy. With each event, UGK crafts a distinctive experience that revolves around a unique theme, location, and menu. It has been referred to as “the most exclusive dining ticket in town” by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Micheal is the creative force behind everything that is UGK – constantly challenging the team to think outside the usual and bring his visions to life.

The Underground Kitchen has worked with some of the best chefs on the East Coast, including Matthew Tlusty, former executive chef at Julep's in Richmond, Va., Joy Crump, former "Top Chef" contestant and executive chef at FoodE in Fredericksburg, Va., Chef J. Ponder, an alum of Food Network's "Chopped" and "Cutthroat Kitchen.”

Kate Houck

Partner, COO

In her heart, Kate has always been a creative and an entrepreneur, though the expression of both has taken many forms.
Kate initially intended Art History to be her path and worked toward this degree at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. After catching the bug for psychology, however, she transferred back stateside where she pursued a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Boston University and the University of Virginia. For several years, she helped to run inpatient and outpatient programs in a maximum security women's prison in Virginia before leaving clinical practice to start her own business consulting company. As a consultant, she worked nationwide with a range of businesses in industries such as mining, accounting, insurance, financial services, casinos, and healthcare, guiding teams through strategic planning and leadership development. This consulting company morphed into a financial consulting company that she ran with her husband for several years. Following a major life event, Kate sat back and re-evaluated where her passions were pulling her - and it was firmly into a much more hands-on creative space. She left the financial consulting in her husband's capable hands, and in 2016 started a luxury floral design company (as you do).

For several years Kate was a faithful UGK client before becoming the exclusive floral designer for events. In 2018, she became a partner and now works with the event teams to ensure that every experience with UGK is to the highest standards of design and service.

James Leonard

Sommelier

Born and raised in Gloucester Virginia, James Leonard got his start at his mom's wine shop and restaurant. Being half Italian it was not unheard of for James to be able to Taste the wine at 10 years old. When James's Mom decided to open a restaurant along with her wine shop she of course recruited her son to work at a very minimum wage. He quickly learned how to wash dishes, scrub pans, clear a table, cook and serve. At that point James was hooked and knew what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.
Upon graduation from high school, James attended Full Sail University in Orlando Florida. He received his bachelor's degree in graphic art and design in 2 years. After graduation he came back to Richmond and immediately started working in the food industry. Starting out at Havana 59 in Richmond, he learned about whiskey, brandy, and Bourbons as well as cigars. From there he moved on to a number of five star restaurants in Richmond learning as much as they would teach him.
In March of 2018 James passed his first sommelier test in New York City. James is now a certified sommelier with the court of Masters working towards being a master sommelier.

Aymeric Dalton

Eu. Family Estates

Eu Family Estates LLC is a wine importer and distributor located in Virginia. Its portfolio features a selection of premium Boutique wines from Bordeaux, Italy and Spain.