The Brilliant and Endearing Chef Jason at Creation
When two driven visionaries’ paths cross – Magical things happen.
Top photo: The lovely Polina & Chef Jason McKinney with our Maverick Queen of wine, Carolyn Martin.
Also read this beautiful article by Creation Wines. https://www.creationwines.com/news/the-chef-who-learned-how-to-learn/
After the first Dinner at Creation Wines – Post by Where is Chef Jason on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/reel/29050134027908747
Chef Jason: “I cold-emailed Carolyn and JC, the founders of Creation Wines, the #7 winery in the world.
After a quick call, we set a date on the calendar for the dinner.
Within weeks the dinner was sold out, and last Saturday we had 55 guests come and enjoy our menu and wines.
It was an epic collaboration and I could not be prouder of how the night went.
The team was pumped, the guests loved it, and it really felt like I was showcasing my future restaurant Elizabeth.
First bites were a duck and parmesan madeleine inspired by a Cheez-It, so I decided to call it a Duck It.
Paired with the Elation Cap Classique 2022.
First course was an escabeche abalone. The abalone came from about 30 minutes away from the winery.
Second course was a whole roasted duck we carved and served over a corn and black truffle risotto with sunchoke chips, a parmesan mousse, and shaved black truffles over everything.
Paired with The Art of Pinot Noir 2024.
For dessert, I love to do baked Alaska so we can light stuff on fire in front of people.
For last bites, we did a play on Nutter Butters. One was a PBJ and one was an Elvis.
Elizabeth - Upcoming Restaurant in New York
- The “Elizabeth” Philosophy: Because his upcoming New York restaurant, Elizabeth, will feature a tasting-menu-only format, Chef Jason is using this event to test the theory that a pairing must either actively elevate a dish or it is getting in the way. Expect bold, highly deliberate flavor combinations.
- Cool-Climate Focus: The pairings will draw heavily from the award-winning, high-altitude portfolio of Creation Wines. You can expect a heavy emphasis on their globally acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir expressions, which thrive in the ocean-cooled air and Bokkeveld shale of the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge.
- Synergy with Spring: The dinner coincides with the estate’s seasonal transition, which integrates fresh, local elements inspired by South African culinary roots.
- Cost: R1,705 per person, which is fully inclusive of the multi-course dinner and all premium wine pairings.
- Reservations: Space is strictly limited to maintain an intimate atmosphere. You can check for remaining seats or join the waitlist by emailing reservations@creationwines.com or calling +27 (0)28 212 1107.
About Chef Jason McKinney
As on whereischefjason.com/chef
“My name is Jason and I have always had a dream of opening my own restaurant.
When I was 18, after getting bullied by some older culinary apprentices, I made a plan. I had promised my mom I would not quit and would see the apprenticeship program all the way through. So I decided I would see it all the way through — and name a restaurant after her.
Elizabeth.
I wanted it to be one of the most exciting restaurants ever. But how? Someone with no experience and no money for a fancy culinary school — how could I become a great chef? I told myself if I was relentless and took a path no one had ever taken before, I could be one of the best.
So I made a plan.”
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Chef Jason’s Plan of action:
03 ✓Start a company and sell it for enough to travel the world.
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Truffle Shuffle is a gourmet culinary brand founded by former Michelin-starred chefs Jason McKinney and Tyler Vorce, famous for securing a deal on Shark Tank and later being acquired by ButcherBox
YouTube Shark Tank footage of 2022
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04 ◆Travel the world ← This is where Chef Jason is!
05 Open Restaurant Elizabeth
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“I’m now on part 4 — and after having so much fun with Truffle Shuffle, I thought it would be pretty incredible to bring people along and document the entire journey.
So follow along and be a part of this adventure!
