Kendal Stephen Duque, 51, of Austin, Texas, passed away on January 31st, 2024 after a brief illness. Kendal was born on May 2nd, 1972 to Carlos and Isabel Duque in Quito, Ecuador. Kendal spent the next eight years in Ecuador with his family, living in Quito and El Puyo, a military base in the Amazon, a place he often spoke fondly of with friends and loved ones. His cousins, including Antonio, Leopoldo, Ximena, Leonardo, and more were close with him in Ecuador and remained an important part of his life. When the family moved to the United States, Kendal was eight years old and became a Texan. He spent many years with friends and family in Sugar Land, Texas including cousins, David and Bianca.
After high school, Kendal enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, studying biochemistry and making lifelong friends with Sujay, Justin and Marcus, who he remained close to throughout his life. Kendal then continued his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, immersing himself in both Spanish literature, philosophy studies, and the local food scene.
After finishing his studies, Kendal took a chance to work in the acclaimed kitchen MASA’s and fell in love with cooking and the life of the professional kitchen. He traveled to New York City to formalize his culinary training at Peter Kumps and then continued his professional career in Chicago, with stints working in the brigade for acclaimed chefs in Paris, Las Vegas and New York City. He applied his talent to rise to Sous Chef, Executive Sous, and then Executive Chef at various acclaimed establishments in Chicago and Austin, Texas. Throughout his professional culinary career, Kendal won multiple awards including Best New Chef (Chicago Magazine ‘08); Best New Restaurant (Time Out Magazine ’08); and James Beard Semi-Finalist Great Lakes Region (2 years in a row ’08, ’09). Kendal cherished not only his chance to work with the finest culinary talent but also the friends he gained and worked with again and again, including Ruben and Scot.
When he stepped out of the kitchen, Kendal treasured time with his family and friends, listening to and creating music as well as recently taking up sailing. Kendal was also an avid and eclectic reader, a pastime he shared with his daughters.
Kendal is survived by his parents, Carlos and Isabel Duque; his children, Claire Schwenke, Francesca Bass-Duque, and Viviana Duque; his sister Mary Duque, her husband Peter Schwab, and niece Madeleine Schwab; and Victoria Bass-Duque, the mother of Francesca and Viviana.
A visitation for Kendal will be held Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 411 Ranch Road 620 South, Lakeway, TX 78734. A funeral mass will occur Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Emmaus Catholic Church, 1718 Lohmans Crossing Rd, Lakeway, TX 78734.
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