About Chez Jake
CULINARY BACKGROUND
I was born and raised on Vancouver Island, my first jobs were in farm-to-table kitchens across BC’s culinary landscape. Offerings like morel mushrooms, spot prawns, and huckleberries were a regular part of my culinary portfolio. In 2018, I completed my WSET Wine & Education training up to Level 3, bolstering my knowledge of food and drink. I am deeply passionate about the joining of the two for intimate dining experiences.
ABOUT MY WORK
My recent travels through Italy, Paris, and Oaxaca have inspired many of the techniques and flavours that I bring together as a Chef. Having worked with the likes of Mandel Hitzer (Winnipeg, MB), and staged with chefs like Joel Wattanabe (Vancouver, BC) and Nuit Regular (Toronto, ON), my culinary expertise is inspired by a fusion of Italian, Japanese, and Southeast Asian flavours. You can expect the dishes make to be rich in umami, complexity, and nostalgia.
WHY WINNIPEG?
“How did you end up in Winnipeg?” That’s the question I get most often when clients find out I’m originally from the West Coast. The simple answer? Love. I moved to Winnipeg in the summer of 2022 to be with my now-wife, Aislynn, and start our next chapter of life together.
While the Prairie winters certainly took some adjusting, I have fallen hard for Winnipeg’s diverse food scene, rich multiculturalism, and incredible community spirit. When I’m not prepping custom menus, you’ll likely find me playing a round at Happyland Disc Golf Course, running along beautiful Wellington Crescent, or checking out the city's latest culinary hotspots. A few of my local favourites include BABYBABY, Andy’s Lunch, BARAKA, Daanook, and of course, HARTH.
ELEVATING THE WINNIPEG PRIVATE CHEF EXPERIENCE
Trading ocean views for the Prairies unlocked a whole new world of culinary inspiration. As a private chef in Winnipeg, my mission is to bring the same farm-to-table philosophy I mastered in BC straight to your dining room. Manitoba has an incredible network of local farmers, producers, and artisans, and I love showcasing those regional ingredients through a fusion of global techniques.
My goal as a service provider is to help you build lasting memories around great food. Whether you are hosting an intimate dinner party, celebrating a milestone, or a just want to enjoy a nice evening in with a custom multi-course tasting menu, I handle everything. From grocery shopping and wine pairings to a spotless cleanup, I will bring a luxury, restaurant-quality experience right to the comfort of your home.