In this issue of Haute Living Los Angeles, Chef Strong shares his love for the outdoors, especially the new Studio Garden. His green thumb is one of the many qualities that make his dishes so inspired and unique. Here’s a sample of our Q&A.

HL: Have you always enjoyed gardening, or is this a newly developed interest?

CS: I developed my green thumb at a young age. My mother and grandmother encouraged me to experiment with the tomatoes and zucchini grown in our family’s garden, and allowed me to manage them on my own – a huge responsibility for an 8-year-old.

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