Chef Of The Month October: Chef Jason Starnes
Growing up in a family of chefs and butchers, Jason has been expressing his passion for food from a young age. A native of North Carolina, he has spent much of his career engrossed in the southern food movement. His keen understanding and appreciation of the agricultural side of the industry has led him to cultivate relationships and source ingredients from many of the small, nearby farms.
With 18 years of culinary experience, Jason served the last seven years as Executive Chef for a fine dining catering company in Atlanta before joining The Sun Dial in 2012. Inspired by local, seasonal ingredients, he seamlessly incorporates flavorful, farm-to-table fare with an upscale, innovative plate presentation. Spend a few minutes with Chef Jason Starnes, and you’re bound to see his desire to delight guests with fresh and exciting contemporary American cuisine.
“Play with your food” are the words most often heard from executive chef Jason Starnes as he explains his unexpected dining philosophy to guests at The Sun Dial, one of the Southeast’s most iconic restaurants located atop The Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta. Inspired by local ingredients, Chef Jason creates cuisine described as “comfort eclectic” – familiar ingredients plated in an ingenious way.
Joining The Sun Dial during a major renovation in 2012, Chef Jason took the opportunity to revamp the menu by traveling the Southeast and establishing meaningful relationships with local farmers. By supporting farmers with seasonally changing menus, Chef Jason provides guests at The Sun Dial experience an approachable, upscale meal with familiar, home-grown roots. Locavores and foodies alike ascend the 72 floors to dine above the Atlanta skyline.
To Chef, farm-to-table isn’t a trend – it’s a belief system. Growing up in a family of chefs and butchers, he has been surrounded by local farmers and seasonal ingredients his entire life. Spend a few minutes with Chef Jason, and you’re bound to see his desire to delight guests with fresh and exciting contemporary American cuisine.