Speakers & Guests
Sunny Jin
Sunny Jin, Executive Chef
Jory Restaurant, Newberg, OR
Graduating at top of his class from Portland’s Western Culinary Institute where he received the Grand Toque Award, Chef Sunny Jin went on to complete his externship at Napa Valley’s famed French Laundry working for three years under renowned chefs Thomas Keller and Corey Lee. In this capacity, Jin created and executed new menus every day at the highest level of quality. Following this experience, Jin took the opportunity to work at the top rated restaurant in the southern hemisphere, Sydney, Australia’s Tetsuya’s, working alongside eponymous chef owner Tetsuya Wakuda. His experience was heightened by side visits throughout Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and Thailand, where he was able to experience explosive and diverse cuisines. His return to the U.S. was marked by the rare assignment of preparing for a season at El Bulli, the world’s top rated restaurant, located in Catalonia (Spain). He worked at El Bulli for the 2009 season under Ferran Adria and Oriol Castro and, thereafter, traveled throughout Europe to explore the culinary cultures of France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands.
Upon his return to the U.S., Jin remembered with fondness his formative school experiences and recognized the emergence of Oregon as one of the country’s preeminent food and wine destinations. “Oregon’s commitment to seasonality and local produce most resembles European culinary communities,” notes Jin. His search for a position amongst this emerging scene led him to JORY at The Allison Inn & Spa which has been among the state’s best reviewed new restaurants since its opening. “I wish to be a part of the continued growth of this extraordinary area and have always felt proud to call Oregon home,” notes Jin.