Lingr Restaurant In St. Petersburg, Florida: Meet The Chef
We sat down with Executive Chef Jeffrey Jew, an alumnus of Bravo's “Top Chef” and winner of Food Network's “Guy's Grocery Games,” of Lingr Restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Executive Chef Jeffrey Jew of Lingr Restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida
Where did you grow up, and where have you traveled to that has helped inspire and shape your cooking philosophy?
I grew up in the Washington, D.C. area, while my parents were stationed nearby. Most of my travel has been to Europe, but I have also been to the Middle East and Africa. Everywhere I have traveled has inspired me as a chef, whether it’s from the ingredients, techniques, or philosophy.
Lingr Restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida
Tell our readers an interesting fact or two about yourself.
One of my grandfather’s first jobs was at a Chinese restaurant in Arizona. I spent the summers in Arizona with my grandparents, and they immersed me in Cantonese cuisine (although I didn’t know it at the time.) My mother was a horrible cook (sorry Mom!), but she was an amazing baker who taught me Norwegian recipes and more importantly, ingredients used in Norwegian cuisine.
Tell us about your absolute favorite food and why readers should try it if they haven’t already.
My absolute favorite type of food is international cuisine such as Indian, Ethiopian, Thai, Vietnamese, etc. I believe that readers should try these cuisines because they offer a wide range of flavors, spices, and ingredients that are not commonly found in American cuisine.
Lingr Restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida
What are three ingredients that you simply couldn’t live without?
Easy—salt, pepper, and hot sauce!
We love the art behind plating. What do you love about designing the perfect dish?
Ever since Covid changed our industry, I had to take a very different take on how to run the kitchen and restaurant. What I found is if everyone has a voice and we all collaborate on every aspect of the dish, we come out with the best outcome. All of us see “perfect” differently, so it’ s amazing to come together as a team, listen, and take everyone’s ideas to finalize every one of our dishes.
Tell us about one of the most creative dishes you’ve created?
It must be a vegetarian gyro. Growing up I loved gyros. I had to cut processed foods out of my diet at a young age and one thing I always missed was a gyro. I had to find a way to make it in a new way that I could enjoy. It was a simple dish, but it took 3 days and multiple techniques to get to the final product. Plus, it was good!
Lingr Restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida
What is one of your greatest accomplishments and/or recent awards you've earned?
Definitely opening Lingr Restaurant. Opening a restaurant during a pandemic was not easy, but I am proud of who we are and how far we have come since opening in June 2021.
What are some of the latest trends you’re seeing in top restaurants across the globe?
Utilizing cost effective ingredients, cross utilization of ingredients, empowering your employees, and paying a living wage.
What’s your favorite cocktail or beverage of choice?
I’m not a cocktail drinker, but an old world white wine is my go to.
Lingr Restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida