Jason is inspired by everything food, from cooking it himself and learning new techniques to seeing chefs portrayed in TV and movies. His favorite food is any style of taco — fish, chicken, carne asada, slow roasted pork — you name it. He revels in the tradition and culture you can taste with the first bite, bringing that feeling to the food he makes. Jason began his career in the restaurant industry at 15 years old while working as a dishwasher for his mother, a chef who followed recipes...

Jason is inspired by everything food, from cooking it himself and learning new techniques to seeing chefs portrayed in TV and movies. His favorite food is any style of taco — fish, chicken, carne asada, slow roasted pork — you name it. He revels in the tradition and culture you can taste with the first bite, bringing that feeling to the food he makes. Jason began his career in the restaurant industry at 15 years old while working as a dishwasher for his mother, a chef who followed recipes handed down from Jason’s grandmother. He loved the smells, flavors and colors of his mother’s cooking, and he reveled in the joy the guests showed after eating her meals and interacting with her. In time, after observing and getting time cooking on the line, Jason was given the opportunity to begin prepping and cooking alongside his mother. The extra work paid off. One day when the restaurant was short two cooks during a morning shift, and Jason’s mother let him run the line for breakfast at the age of 16. The experience was everything he’d hoped, especially after seeing the positive reactions from the diners. There was no going back for him at this point – he knew he wanted to be a chef. His time with Ivar’s began with the Salmon House Fish Bar in 2005, but being so close to the full serve kitchen he wanted more, eventually making his way into the big full serve kitchen. He worked closely aside the other chefs, learning while preparing Ivar’s seafood specialties, not to mention the world-famous Salmon House cornbread. Just as athletes proudly wear their uniforms with team logo, Jason is excited to put on his chef’s coat with the Salmon House logo. As he says, “Just give me a knife and some delicious piece of salmon, and I will take you on a culinary journey.”