◆ the teaseri post a new episode as each country wraps
◆ 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 — enough to travel the world
04 ◆Travel the world ← you are here
05Open Restaurant Elizabeth
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!
With love and butter,
Chef Jason McKinney
◆ hosting an elizabeth dinneron the road
timelinechef jason mckinney
current
Chef / Proprietor
elizabeth · the cooking club
Cooking through South Africa, three residencies back to back. Right now up in the Soutpansberg mountains in Limpopo. Thailand, India, Indonesia, China, Japan, Mexico and Peru are filmed. Kenya is next.
2025
Stagiaire
gaggan · bangkok
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.
2014–2017
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 thirty-seat chef's counter. You sit right there and watch me build every dish.
Every course comes from somewhere I've been — mole I ground in Oaxaca, a pasta I learned
at Maison Pic, a dessert that's basically my mom's recipe.
seats
30
format
tasting only
opening
2027
◆ opening night · the list
Want to be first through the door? Get on the list below — I'll send you early
reservations, and the first letter from inside the finished room.
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
follow@whereischefjason
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.
Recipes from the road, new episodes, and first dibs on seats at Elizabeth. That's it — I don't send much.
** ORDER IN **
1× SEATELIZABETH
TABLECOUNTER
FIREOPENING NIGHT
GUEST
THANK YOU — SEE YOU AT THE COUNTER
sponsorswork with me
Come on the road with me.
I'm cooking my way around the world and filming all of it — the show, the club,
and the pop-ups. If you make something great, your brand rides along: in my hands,
on camera, in real kitchens.
ThailandJanGaggan · #1 in Asia
IndiaFebThe Leela · three cities
IndonesiaMarCap Karoso · Michelin Key
ChinaAprTea country, Hangzhou
JapanAprFlorilège · Tokyo
MexicoMayCDMX, Oaxaca, Sayulita
PeruJunMaido · #1 in the world
South AfricaAug / NowThree residencies
KenyaSepAngama Mara
OsakaOctWaldorf Astoria
