Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Baker.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I graduated from California State University, San Marcos in 2008 with a bachelor in Communication but I already knew I wanted to go to culinary school. After graduating from San Diego Culinary Institute I completed my externship program at Pamplemousse Grille, which was an honor to work closely with those talents chefs.
Shortly after, I competed in the Midwest Culinary Salon and was awarded a gold medal for my dish. As soon as I got back, I took a position at PrepKitchen. I worked for the next five years in some of the best restaurants around San Diego County, eventually earning the title, Executive Chef.
Flavor Affinity was created as my way to continue my passion and love for cooking, without sacrificing my time with my family and son and bring an extraordinary experience to my clients, unlike any restaurant environment. It has brought me incredible happiness to work in a capacity I never thought possible.
Now, I have the freedom to travel, spend time with my family, and pursue my passion, all on my own terms.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think that anyone that tells you that starting a business is a smooth road is a crazy person. When I first started conceptualizing the business, I thought I would register the name, launch the website, print my business cards and be off to the races. I was wrong.
There is so much trial and error and research that takes place in order to confidently launch a new startup. In the end, I am happy that I put in, and continue to put in, all the long hours it takes to be successful.
To this day, a year later, I continue to struggle to find enough hours in the day to complete my lengthy to-do lists. It feels different though, working for yourself. Mondays don’t suck, and I work long hours on weekends, but I love it now. I don’t work for a paycheck anymore, I work to build a brand and a life.
Please tell us about Flavor Affinity.
Flavor Affinity is a culinary special event brand focusing on intimate dining experiences, wedding festivities and pop up events.
My cuisine can be best described as modern coastal, using the bounty of ingredients California has to offer. I am a French-trained chef but pull my inspiration from Mediterranean and Asian cuisines, offering bold and complex flavors.
What sets us apart is our ability to create a specialized menu, tailored directly to our client’s needs and expectations, and then execute that menu flawlessly, time after time.
Understanding our clients is paramount is exceeding expectations, which has been the goal from day one. I enjoy taking the time to learn what restaurants and types of cuisine my clients enjoy and using this information to build a “beyond our expectation” menu.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood is from my time playing traveling baseball. Growing up in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, baseball was a huge part of my growing up. From the age 10-13, along with my team, traveled the country competing in AAU tournaments. This time fostered an already competitive side that has translated into my adult life.
I specifically remember enjoying the time in hotels with my friends and teammates and then the long days at the ballpark, playing multiple games a day. As a parent now, I realize how much my parents sacrificed to allow me the chance to play at that level.
Pricing:
- 3 Course Menu – starting at $85/person
- 4 Course Menu – starting at $95/person
Contact Info:
- Website: www.flavoraffinity.com
- Phone: (805)3385412
- Email: jason@flavoraffinity.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/flavoraffinity
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/flavoraffinity
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/flavoraffinity
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/flavoraffinity
- Other: https://www.thumbtack.com/-Encinitas-CA/service/3759105
Image Credit:
@chase_life_photography, @juliangoulian
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