JENNER TOMASKA
WG Magazine: You worked alongside Grant Achatz, take us through this culinary journey and experience with Grant Achatz, and how did this help you are as a chef today? Jenner Tomaska: Working with Chef Grant has been instrumental in my development as a chef. Fundamentally and creatively Chef has shaped who I’ve become. From how the kitchen is run to how I look at food, his influence is present. I like to tell the story of when I first started at Next, it was during the Childhood menu. I worked in the basement as a Commis, the hours were long and the work was difficult. You see, we worked and prepped the food for the chefs upstairs. We worked and worked and worked and never saw the finished product. One night, after a particularly grueling week, Chef walked into the basement and told me along with another cook to get changed. He was sitting us down for dinner. That meal was one of the best I’ve ever had. I remember thinking, “I want to be here, I want to do this.” I stood up from that table and knew I was going to work hard, and that in particular, I was going to work hard for Chef. And that’s what it’s like to work with him. He doesn’t believe in standing in the way. He will guide you, correct you and teach you but he will never hold you back. If nothing else, this is what I will take with me. A true testament to greatness is who you’ve helped shape and encourage. It’s a legacy I cherish and am determined to pass on. I am very grateful for it.
156 - WG June 2017