Try India, truffles, Creation Wines or upcoming dinners.
Cooking my way to Elizabeth.
I’m Jason McKinney. I cooked at The French Laundry, co-founded Truffle Shuffle and went on Shark Tank. Now I’m learning from cooks around the world before opening Elizabeth in New York in 2027.
Before Elizabeth was a restaurant, it was a plan I made when I was trying to decide whether I belonged in a kitchen at all.
The story behind ElizabethTold by Jason
Friends,
When I was eighteen, I started a culinary apprenticeship far from home. The chef used to make fun of me. One night I sat in my truck, looking at the building where everyone else was hanging out. I knew that if I walked in, I was going to get some shit.
For the first time in my life, I felt like I did not belong.
I wanted to leave. But I had promised my mom that I would finish. Before I turned sixteen, I had gotten into a lot of trouble and had been kicked out of a lot of schools. She had every right to ask that of me.
So that night, I made another promise. I was going to figure out how to become the best chef I could be. Not quitting meant more than finishing the apprenticeship. It meant not quitting the whole thing for the rest of my life.
Then I made a plan:
Finish the apprenticeship. Get a job at The French Laundry. Start a company. Sell it. Travel around the world. Then open a restaurant named Elizabeth after my mom.
So far, I have finished the apprenticeship. I worked at The French Laundry. I built the company and sold it. Now I am on the road, cooking, listening and learning before I open Elizabeth in New York.
This is where I am sharing that part of the plan while it is still happening.
Thank you for being here.
Jason.
Latest recorded residency
Creation Wines
23 August–6 September 2026 Hemel-en-Aarde, Walker Bay
I’m cooking at Jolie Brasserie, on the 29th floor of Waldorf Astoria Osaka, from 8 to 29 October with its chef de cuisine, Keiji Tsutsumi. Lunch is ¥9,800 and dinner is ¥15,000.
That's us. I cook in every kitchen we film in. Polina books every flight, every apartment and every visa, and runs the Cooking Club day to day. We got married in May.
◆ behind the lens
Gigi.
Every frame of the show is shot by Gigi. He's been on the road with me the whole way, camera up, from the first kitchen to the last. If it ever looks like a film, that's him.
the chefmy story
A note from me.
Hi,
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.
01 ✓Finish the apprenticeship program
02 ✓Work at The French Laundry
03 ✓Start a company and sell it. Save enough to travel the world.
04 ◆Travel the world ← you are here
05Open Restaurant Elizabeth
I'm now on part 4. 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!
With love and butter,
Chef Jason McKinney
◆ hosting an elizabeth dinneron the road
Before the tour
I went on Shark Tank.
Season 12 · Episode 21
My friend Tyler and I pitched Truffle Shuffle to the Sharks and made a deal with Mark Cuban.
Official Truffle Shuffle pitch · 11:48 Published by Sony Pictures Television.
Two-month culinary stage at Gaggan, ranked #1 in Asia and #6 in the World. Focused on creativity, precision, and modern technique.
2018–2025
Co-Founder & Chef
truffle shuffle · san francisco
Built the company from the ground up, grew it, and sold it to ButcherBox.
the french laundry
Chef de Partie
the french laundry
Worked at The French Laundry, a three Michelin star restaurant. Staged at Maison Pic and Frenchie in France.
apprenticeship
Culinary Apprentice
sea island resort
Completed a four-year apprenticeship at Sea Island, a Forbes Five-Star property. Learned discipline, hospitality, and the foundations of the craft.
the restaurantnew york · 30 seats · 2027
My restaurant: a chef’s counter of approximately thirty seats. You sit right there and watch me build every dish.
I promised my mother I would finish my apprenticeship and one day name a restaurant after her.
The tour is how I am preparing for that restaurant. The final menu, address and exact opening date are not announced yet.
seats
30
format
tasting only
opening
2027
◆ elizabeth · opening updates
Follow along as I build Elizabeth. I’ll share opening updates and let you know
when reservations are announced. Joining the list does not reserve a seat.
I’m cooking at Jolie Brasserie, on the 29th floor of Waldorf Astoria Osaka, from 8 to 29 October with its chef de cuisine, Keiji Tsutsumi. Lunch is ¥9,800 and dinner is ¥15,000.
I Married PolinaArms out, ocean behind, best day of the tour.sayulita, mexico · may 15, 2026The Ceremony on the Beachsayulita, mexico · 2026The Walk Downsayulita, mexico · 2026With Thomas KellerTKRG Holiday Party.yountville, ca · 2019In Ho Chi Minh with David and PolinaEating Vietnamese cuisine.ho chi minh city, vietnam · 2025With Massimo BotturaIn his garage.modena, italy · 2024Won Shark TankPitched Truffle Shuffle and secured the deal.las vegas · 2020Staging at GagganTwo months learning from Chef Gaggan Anand at his legendary Bangkok restaurant.bangkok, thailand · 2025Sauce Work at French LaundryFive years mastering the fundamentals. Won the Core Award.yountville, ca · 2014-2017Dinner at The French LaundryCelebrating after selling Truffle Shuffle.yountville, ca · 2024Tyler's Last Day at The French LaundryWith Tyler on his final day at the three Michelin star restaurant.yountville, ca · 2024With Teri Hatcher & TylerAt a charity event.los angeles · 2024Cooking for the President of BulgariaAt the Bulgarian Consulate.san francisco · 2023With Tyler Vorce & Chef Jackson YuDinner collaboration with the chef of one Michelin star Omakase.san francisco · 2024SF Pop-Up with Seth CDC of AcquerelloWith Seth CDC of two Michelin star Acquerello, Wild Bill, and Tyler.san francisco · 2024Cooking for the Co-Founder of DoorDashcalifornia · 2024With Chef Phil TessierChef of one Michelin star Press, a great supporter of young chefs, checking out Truffle Shuffle.napa valley, ca · 2023With Dustin & WillDustin of the one Michelin star Niku and Will, a badass founder.california · 2022With Joe Papach of Harvey House & Tylercalifornia · 2023With Diane & The Infamous Signyountville, ca · 2022Chef Tucker Ricchio's Next Level Chef WinCelebrating with Tucker Ricchio, winner of Next Level Chef, on airing night.california · 2024Celebrating with Chef TuckerThe moment of victory at the Next Level Chef watch party.california · 2024Pop-Up for CBRE at Salesforce TowerWith Tyler doing a private event.san francisco · 2024Spot Prawn DevelopmentTesting the white asparagus silk dish for an upcoming pop-up in San Francisco.san francisco · 2024Wine Dinner at Aver Family Vineyardscalifornia · 2023Private Event with the Benziger Familycalifornia · 2024Charity Dinner with Angelina Mondavicalifornia · 2022Volunteering at the Food Bankcalifornia · 2023Next Level Chef Watch PartyThe watch party when Chef Tucker won Next Level Chef.california · 2024With Austin Johnson, Tyler Vorce & Dave Guillotynew york · 2024Drinks in Golden GaiHaving a drink with new friends.tokyo, japan · 2025Me and Ryan in a Tuk TukLate night adventures through the streets of Bangkok.bangkok, thailand · 2025Photo Shoot for ElizabethBehind the scenes at the Elizabeth photo shoot.koh samui, thailand · 2026Getting Ready for Pop-UpPreparing for the first pop-up in India.india · 2025With Mom at Bouchonyountville, ca · 2018My Two Favorite PeopleRyan and Rebecca!bangkok · 2025How Lucky Am I?thailand · 2025I Love Margaritasbangkok · 2025Polina's Birthdaykhao yai, thailand · 2025With My First YouTube Subscriber Kooskoh samui, thailand · 2026RELENTLESS - A Gift from TylerA stunning piece of art made by Diane, gifted by Tyler. 'UNSTOPPABLE'.california · 2026Cooking for Our Jedi Business MentorBenjamin and his lovely wife.california · 2026Service at Cap KarosoPlating the residency dinner.sumba, indonesia · 2026Tasting at the Breweryhiroshima, japan · 2026Inside the Sake Breweryyunotsu, japan · 2026Tea Fields in the Rainhangzhou, china · 2026With the Chefs in Hyderabadhyderabad, india · 2026Harvesting in the GardenThree hectares of organic gardens at Cap Karoso.sumba, indonesia · 2026On the Pass in Bangalorebangalore, india · 2026The Streets of Bangalorebangalore, india · 2026At the Market in Punepune, india · 2026The Banana Leaf Sellerspune, india · 2026From the Aragma Pop-UpWhere the Thai Tea Baked Alaska debuted.pune, india · 2026
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The answer's on Instagram.
Want to know where I am today? I post where I'm cooking, what I'm learning, and
whatever's going wrong along the way.
