E210 Jay McNeely
Growing Up In The Industry
This weeks guest is Jason McNeely who joins us for an in person interview. Currently, Jay is the Lead Bartender at Area which is in The Well complex in Toronto.
Jay got an early start in the Industry when he started washing dishes at his grandparents restaurant in Gananoque, Ontario. Jason eventually worked in all the roles from dishwasher to cooking to sever before he eventually left to go to school in Ottawa. Initially, Jay did a quick stint at University of Ottawa studying physics before realizing that this wasn’t the career for him and switched over to culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu and completed the Superior Cuisine Diploma.
Jay worked in both corporate and private establishments while in school, and decided to focus on working in smaller establishments shortly thereafter. Jay eventually wound up working back at his family’s restaurant to help them out for a while. After a fire at the restaurant, Jay moved in to becoming a sales rep, as he became a food sales rep. This in turn led to Jay becoming a rep for a microbrewery.
As all good things eventually come to an end, and Jay decided to move back to working front of house at a restaurant, and decided to take on the job of becoming a bartender. This has been a terrific move for Jay as he has gone to run several bar programs, manage and open numerous bars as well as compete in the region finals of World Class a couple of times.
Jay also has a successful Instagram page that you can find @jay.mcn
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Podcast Artwork by Zak Hannah zakhannah.co