Speakers & Guests

Jason_Stratton

Jason Stratton

Jason Stratton, Chef
Spinasse, Seattle, WA

Spinasse, Artusi, Vespolina

Stratton began his career at the early age of 16 at Seattle’s classic (and now shuttered) Le Gourmand restaurant under Chef Bruce Naftaly. Initially hired to wash dishes, Jason remained at the restaurant for over 5 years and ultimately expanded his duties to include prep work and desserts. While attending Evergreen State College, Jason spent a semester in Granada, Spain and worked as a line cook with Chef Charles Walpole from 2000-2002 at the now-closed, Avenue One.

From 2002-2007, Jason worked for Chef/Owner Holly Smith of Cafe Juanita initially as line cook, followed by a lead role as sous chef . During his time at Cafe Juanita, Jason returned to Europe several times to travel and eat: France, Spain and Italy (Rome, Emiglia Romagna, Lombardy and Piedmont).

In early 2008, Jason left Cafe Juanita for a 6 month sabbatical to Spain (again Granada). While on his trip, Chef Jerry Traunfeld hired Jason to serve as co-chef at his restaurant, Poppy, where he worked until 2009.

Chef Jason Stratton joined Spinasse in 2009 to further the restaurant’s perspective on the foods and feastings of the Piedmont region of northern Italy. He creates simple, refined dishes grounded in techniques from Piedmont, while celebrating the products of artisans and small farmers from the Pacific Northwest. In its first two years, Spinasse was named one of Seattle’s Best Restaurants in 2009 by Seattle Metropolitan magazine and Jason was named one of Food & Wine magazine’s 10 Best New Chefs for 2010.

In June 2011, Stratton opened Artusi next door to Spinasse; a modern Italian restaurant and bar focusing on the historic and traditional cuisine of Italy crafted to pair with grappa, amaro, vermouth, beer and specialty cocktails.

In September 2014, Jason expanded his northern Italian offerings to Vespolina in Downtown Seattle, bringing his award-winning cuisine to the 1st and Union location to complete the dining trifecta for his house-made pastas and Italian-focused wine and cocktails.