Chef Jason Hernandez, Blade & Tine Culinary Consulting

Recipe created by Chef Jason Hernandez, Blade & Tine Culinary Consulting.

In 2019, Jason Hernandez started his own culinary consultancy. At this point in his career, he’s right where he wants to be: creating innovative menus and dishes for a growing roster of foodservice clients.

He’s been moving toward this culinary goal since he was 15 and a dishwasher at a buffet concept in Colorado. Three years later, he was studying for a degree in architectural engineering when the idea of career in foodservice began to gel. He discovered he enjoyed his part-time jobs in restaurants far more than his course studies. So, armed with a vision—to create great food in a pleasing environment—a solid work ethic and drive, Jason began to accumulate the titles and positions that lead to culinary and operational leadership.

At 19, he was promoted to his first Sous Chef position at a local steakhouse. At 21, he was appointed Executive Chef/Banquet Chef at Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver. From Wynkoop, he served as Executive Kitchen Manager for Old Chicago Restaurants in Denver. In 2006 , he joined BJ’s Restaurants & Brewhouse. Over the next ten years, he rose through the BJ’s ranks, starting as Regional Kitchen/Operations Manager, advancing to Senior Manager of Culinary and Kitchen Operations, and ending as Director of Kitchen Operations and Development.

After BJ’s and prior to launching his own culinary consultancy, he spent one year as Director of Culinary Operations at St Elmo’s Steakhouse and another year with similar responsibilities at Harry & Izzy’s in Indianapolis before returning west to accept the position of VP of Kitchen Operations for LA-based Eureka Restaurant Group, a full-service gourmet burger concept.