About Us
A New Concept from the Creators of The Kitchen
Welcome to Express Kitchen – a fast-casual dining experience where global flavors, fresh ingredients, and culinary creativity come together in one delicious bowl. Brought to you by the team behind Wichita’s beloved The Kitchen, Express Kitchen invites you to explore bowls, wraps, and salads inspired by flavors from around the world – all crafted to your liking.
Express Kitchen is about celebrating the beauty and variety of world cuisine in one accessible, customizable format. Whether you're building a wrap, salad, or bowl, you'll find something here that fits your lifestyle, taste, and dietary needs.
The Heart Behind the Concept: Chef Natasha Gandhi-Rue
At the helm of Express Kitchen is Chef Natasha Gandhi-Rue, a culinary powerhouse with a passion for flavor, education, and hospitality.
Chef Natasha is formally trained at the prestigious International Culinary Center (formerly the French Culinary Institute) in New York City and holds a double major from Pennsylvania State University. Originally from New Jersey, she has proudly called Wichita, Kansas home for over 25 years.
In 2016, she and her husband, Scott -a General Contractor- opened The Kitchen, a downtown Wichita favorite where she creates exceptional menus and leads the restaurant with care, precision, and warmth. Through The Kitchen, Natasha has shared her love of food with the community—not only as a chef, but also as a teacher—offering cooking classes and culinary inspiration to fellow food lovers.
Scott, a former Marine whose motto is “adapt & overcome,” has been both the inspiration and encouragement behind their next big venture: Express Kitchen. His forward-thinking mindset, combined with Natasha’s commitment to fresh, delicious food, sparked the idea for a fast-casual concept tailored to the evolving downtown Wichita community. Express Kitchen is the perfect blend of Scott’s vision and Natasha’s culinary passion—bringing something new, fast, and flavorful to the heart of the city.
Career Highlights:
15 years as International Culinary Chef Manager for Williams-Sonoma, leading culinary programs globally
Winner, Guy’s Grocery Games – Clearance Wars (Season 23, Episode 11)
Featured Chef, NBC’s Today Show Thanksgiving Special (2019)
Champion, The Orpheum’s Celebrity & Chef Cook-Off (2019)
The Philosophy: Bowls of the World, Inspired by the Buddha Bowl
The concept behind Express Kitchen is rooted in the idea of the Buddha bowl — a meal made up of thoughtfully arranged portions of nutritious ingredients, symbolizing balance, abundance, and gratitude.
Historically, the Buddha carried a simple bowl on his journeys, receiving offerings from those he met along the way. This bowl became a symbol of sustenance, generosity, and shared humanity — values we proudly embrace. At Express Kitchen, this tradition is reimagined through a modern lens. Our menu is a canvas for cultural exploration, offering a rotating variety of global flavors that speak to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. Unlike other build-your-own restaurants that stick to one regional cuisine, Express Kitchen offers a world of flavor in every bowl, so there’s truly something for everyone.
More Than a Meal
Whether you're craving a warm, comforting bowl with bold spices or a refreshing salad full of crunch and zest, Express Kitchen is here to serve flavor, freshness, and freedom of choice. We’re proud to bring Wichita a concept that feeds the soul as much as the appetite—with love, creativity, and global inspiration in every bite.
