Chef's Bio

Jake comes from the great Midwest where he grew up in the kitchens of his family farm. The son of a pilot and an internationally traveling family, Jake was exposed to the regional cuisines and cultures of America, Asia and Europe from a young age. With this influence, he chose to attend Cornell University's acclaimed School of Hotel Administration. A specific interest in the independent restaurant world took Jake to kitchens and restaurants of New York, Aspen, Los Angeles and Italy. While in Italy he was selected to stage with the Michelin Three Star Le Calandre near Venice with Chef Massimiliano Aljamo, the youngest Chef to ever earn three Michelin Stars. Currently, Jake owns and operates a number of restaurants in Telluride, Colorado, including The Bluepoint Grill & Noir Bar, The Excelsior Café, and X Café. Other concepts he has begun include Sushi Kiko, The Excelsior Deli, and The Wild Flower Market His focus throughout this time has been restaurant concept development and design through his own operations and other clients including Vail Associates and Telluride Ski & Golf. The outstanding design features of which have been included in Western Interiors, Desert Living, and Edge Magazines. Jake has been a regular guest of NBC's, "The Today Show" and featured in National periodicals such as Bon Appétit, Food Arts, Newsweek. Jake also represents Amstel Light as their featured chef, helping to bring to life the brand’s Dutch heritage by incorporating the spirit of Amsterdam into his “Amstel Light” inspired dishes at key events throughout the year. Recently selected as one of the industries Rising Stars by Restaurant Hospitality magazine, Jake continues to lecture and demonstrate at culinary events throughout the country. Jake has also acted as Culinary Director of the Telluride Wine Festival and was one of the founding members of the Telluride Restaurant Association. In 1999, Jake started 'The Cook's Table', which is a combination cooking class and televised show that airs locally in the region. Chef Linzinmeir is also a Senior Associate with Elizabeth Blau and Associates, the industries leading consulting firm. Somehow Jake still finds the time to avidly ski, pursue his mountaineering skills, surf and maintain a key role on the San Miguel Search & Rescue team.