About Us
A trailblazer in Flagstaff’s culinary scene, Chef and Co-Owner, Scott Heinonen, has a unique philosophy for food which he expresses by blending artistry with preparation techniques to deliver clean, bold flavors and beautiful, simple dishes. A graduate of Northern Arizona University’s Hotel and Restaurant Management program, Scott sought to further his skills of the culinary arts by attending the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, Calif. For 25 years, he cooked in acclaimed kitchens throughout Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Mendocino County and North Lake Tahoe. A highlight of Scott’s career was in 2003 when he was a private chef for Paul McCartney and ex-wife, Heather, during a week-long ski vacation in Tahoe. Chef Heinonen moved back to Flagstaff in 2005. Scott has a wife, Carrie, and one daughter, Ruby.
Partnering with his cousin is Manager and Co-Owner, Kevin Heinonen. Kevin brings over fifteen years of business experience to Tinderbox. Kevin grew up in suburban Detroit. He came to Arizona for college and received a degree in Real Estate/Finance from University of Arizona and a law degree from Arizona State University. In Flagstaff, Kevin practiced law for five years. During his time in Flagstaff, his younger cousin Scott, moved in with him and his wife, Pam, while Scott finished his degree at NAU. That was the beginning of the plans for the restaurant they would someday open together. Eager for the business, Scott ventured to Oregon to seek culinary advancement and Kevin moved to Scottsdale, Arizona where he joined the family real estate business. He worked as a commercial real estate broker and developer of commercial medical and office projects. The two cousins never forgot their plans, and as fate would have it, in May 2009, they tapped in their dream and opened Tinderbox Kitchen. Kevin has a wife, Pam, and two sons, Michael and Eric.
