JASON STOLLER SMITH - Chef de Cuisine and Partner, The Dundee Bistro
Jason Stoller Smith joined The Dundee Bistro in January 2002 and immediately brought fresh energy, imagination and equally fresh dishes to the restaurant. His culinary curiosity and boldness is based on solid skills and years of experience. In fact, Smith began his restaurant career at sixteen. Working in restaurants along the Pacific Coast from Puget Sound to southern Oregon, Smith has continually searched for excellence in culinary techniques and ingredients. His ever-expanding culinary library is heavily weighted with volumes on French Classic Cuisine.
For several years Smith was Executive Sous Chef at Oregon's highly regarded historic resort, Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood. Counted in his accomplishments are wide experience as a culinary arts instructor, special event chef and caterer for the wine industry. He represented the Pacific Northwest promoting and exhibiting Northwest dinners in Bangkok. A year after joining The Dundee Bistro and bringing the notice of the national culinary world to Dundee, he was invited to present the James Beard Centennial Dinner–reservations quickly sold out–at the James Beard House in New York City. In the winter of 2004, Smith went on a two-month round-the-world trip of culinary discovery. He returned to the Bistro bursting with inspiration, ideas, insight, plans and the energy to implement them.
A native of Olympia, Washington, Smith grew up surrounded by foods from the Northwest's clear waters and small farms. He delights in purchasing ingredients from the weekly farmer's market set up in the restaurant's parking lot. He seeks out organic and specialty products from nearby farms, ranches and wineries. He regards his kitchen literally in the heart of the Willamette Valley as a chef's dream.
In his spare time, which Smith admits is almost non-existent during the wine-touring season, he grows orchids and tropical fish, collects wines, reads cookbooks and looks forward to an occasional afternoon on the nearby Oregon coast.