◆ from the roadsound's off — the full episodes are on youtube
as seen onShark Tank◆The Kelly Clarkson Show◆Forbes◆Eater◆Haute Living◆Tasting Table◆as seen onShark Tank◆The Kelly Clarkson Show◆Forbes◆Eater◆Haute Living◆Tasting Table◆
the showon youtube
Where is Chef Jason?
I'm filming the whole journey — every kitchen I cook in, across fourteen
countries. Part travel doc, part cooking show, part my own story.
◆ the teaseri post a new episode as each country wraps
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
◆ on the roadaragma · india
timelinechef jason mckinney
current
Chef / Proprietor
elizabeth · the cooking club
Cooking my way through South America — currently in Lima, Peru. Thailand, India, Indonesia, China, Japan, and Mexico are filmed. Chile 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 · 14 seats · 2027
My restaurant: a fourteen-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
14
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.
With 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.
