Cooking up a storm in the USA

JASON Stead, known to family and friends as ‘J’, is flying the Zululand flag high in America with his culinary skills.

J, 21, is the youngest of seven chefs selected from South Africa to be appointed a position at the prestigious Ballenisles Country Club in Palm Beach, Florida.

This is a members only, five-star Emerld Club of America, a PGA affiliated establishment.

Jason, who did his apprenticeship at the Protea Umflozi River Resort while he studied, managed to earn himself Cum Laude in three different diplomas, Hotel Management, Restaurant Management and Food and Beverage Management through Oxbridge Academy, a Tourism and Hospitality Organisation.

In June 2013, J, registered with an international placement group, Work Away International. After four months of interviews with representatives from around the USA, J, was appointed in a Junior Chef position.

Of the seven candidates selected, J had the least years experience and was also the only candidate who had not gone to a professional school, university or college.

Currently J is in Florida on an six-month contract and was due to return home in May if he was not placed in their winter programme.

What has since transpired is J will be moving up country to Charlotte, South Carolina at the end of May where he has been contracted to Mountain Air Country Club. No doubt, he is going to absolutely love this ,blue grass, country.

Mountain Air Country Club is a Fine Dining establishment where J will be working and learning with some of the greatest Chefs of America while learning to plate beautiful meals and dishes only seen in elegant restaurants the world around.

J is hoping to transfer again in November to Palm Beach, Florida, for the American Winter Programme where he will be able to gain more experience and learn from other top chefs.