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Chef Jason Gethin began his restaurant career at the age of 16 when he was hired as a dishwasher at Salenas Mexican Restaurant in St. Louis, Missouri. It took him only 2 weeks before he was promoted to Line Cook, but it would be another 5 years working in the restaurant industry before he decided that he wanted to become a chef. "After going to college in Tucson, Arizona for environmental science I realized that it wasn't really the career for me. I wanted to become a Chef so I decided not to waste any more time."
Jason earned his degree from the Culinary Institute of Louisiana, but went on to further his education at Johnson & Wales in Charleston, South Carolina. While in the south he was able to fine-tune his skills outside the classroom as Lead Sautee of Drakes, a Cajun-Asian Fusion restaurant in Baton Rouge Louisiana; Sautee Cook at Charleston Grill, located in the 4 star Charleston Place Hotel in South Carolina; and Saucier at the Harbor Club, a Southern Restaurant also in Charleston. With the foundation of his culinary experience in the south, it isn't surprising that Chef Gethin focuses on exotic flavoring and spices.
In 1999, Jason moved west to San Diego where he worked as Sous Chef for the popular Roppongi in La Jolla. The following year he joined the Cohn Restaurant Group as Sous Chef for The Prado at Balboa Park and Banquet Chef for their catering department. Nearly five years later Jason was promoted to Executive Chef for the Cohn Group's pacific island restaurant - Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge. This position has given Jason the opportunity to do what he loves most, teach. "I truly believe that any chef is only as good as their supporting staff. You can't be a great chef unless you lead by example and encourage your staff to strive for excellence even when you aren't there to guide them." In the future, Chef Gethin aspires to what he feels is every chef's ultimate goal, to own or partner in a successful restaurant. For now however, his plate is full with the continued success of the Cohn Restaurant Group's Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge.
Look for an exciting new menu created by Executive Chef Jason Gethin, coming soon to Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge! | 