Jason Vincent facts for kids

Jason Vincent is an amazing American chef who has won many national awards. He is also a co-owner of a popular restaurant called Giant, which is located in Chicago, Illinois.

Jason Vincent is known for creating delicious and exciting dishes. He has worked in some of the best kitchens around the world. His journey from a dishwasher to a celebrated chef shows how much hard work and passion he has for cooking.

Early Cooking Days

Jason Vincent grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. His interest in cooking started early. He was a dishwasher at a local Italian restaurant. This is where he first saw the magic of a busy kitchen.

At just 15 years old, he began cooking pizzas in Cleveland. He loved learning how to make food. To become an even better chef, he went to the Culinary Institute of America. This is a very famous school for chefs.

After graduating, Jason traveled to San Sebastian, Spain. He worked at a very special restaurant called Arzak. This restaurant had three Michelin stars, which means it was one of the best in the world!

Chef's Journey

After his time in Spain, Jason came back to the United States. He worked as a cook at Fore Street restaurant in Portland, Maine. This restaurant had even won a James Beard Award, which is a big honor for restaurants.

In 2005, Jason moved to Chicago. There, he met another talented chef named Jason Hammel. They worked together for four years. Then, they decided to open their own restaurant.

Opening Nightwood

Together, Jason Vincent and Jason Hammel opened a restaurant called Nightwood. They made sure the menu changed every day. This was so they could use the freshest ingredients available.

Under Jason Vincent's leadership, Nightwood became very popular. It won the Michelin Guide's "Bib Gourmand" Award. This award is given to restaurants that serve great food at good prices. Nightwood was also featured in Bon Appetit magazine for having one of the "10 Best Dishes of 2010."

In 2014, Jason Vincent left Nightwood. He wanted to spend more time with his family.

Giant Restaurant

In 2016, Jason Vincent opened his own restaurant called Giant. He started it with his friends Ben Lustbader and Josh Perlman. Giant is located in Logan Square, Chicago.

The restaurant serves delicious American food. It quickly became a favorite spot. The Chicago Tribune newspaper even said one of Giant's dishes was among the best foods of 2016. Zagat, a well-known guide, also listed Giant as one of the "Most Important Restaurant Openings of 2016" in the U.S.

Awards and Honors

Jason Vincent has received many important awards for his cooking. These awards show how talented and respected he is in the food world.

• Cochon 555 National Champion (2012)
• Food & Wine "Best New Chef" (2013)
• Michelin Guide's "Bib Gourmand" Award
• Thrillist Chef of the Year (2016)

Family Life

Jason Vincent lives in Logan Square, Illinois. He lives there with his wife and their two daughters.