Jamie McFadden
Jamie McFadden, Executive Chef/Founder Cuisiniers Catered Cuisine & Events, Winter Park Florida
Chef Jamie’s “Fresh Approach” Cooking style and attention to detail has proven to be the perfect ingredients in creating a very exciting and successful career path.
His formal culinary education which included Baltimore’s International Culinary College and The La Varenne Cooking School in Burgundy France immersed Jamie in Classic French Cuisine, Technique and Theory. During an apprenticeship under Master Chef Peter Timmins at the Park Hotel in County Cavan, Ireland, Jamie gained a true appreciation for “Farm to Table” cooking and realized his passion for the culinary arts.
For 22 years Chef Jamie has called Orlando home and is very grateful for the opportunities and experiences the community has offered him. In 1990 he began to build his reputation as an award winning chef working at various high profile restaurants including his own restaurant, Mimi’s Café & Wine Bar. In 1998 he founded Cuisiniers Catered Cuisine & Events and just celebrated 14 years in creating unforgettable events. In 2010 Jamie celebrated his 20th anniversary of working in Central Florida dining establishments with the opening of his brand new concept, The Gallery at Interlachen. This unique art gallery setting is the newest destination for private meetings, conferences, and social events in Orlando. In early 2011 Jamie introduced Central Floridians to his version of a tasting bar with his “bar J me” concept. To date this experience has received high marks in the press. In September 2011, the Orlando Sentinel stated “barJme reinvents chef table” and “dinner at the kitchen counter may never be the same”.
Other career highlights include preparing two Central Florida inspired meals at the James Beard House in New York City. Appearing and Cooking on NBC’s “Today Show” “Dinner in the Sky” segment with Bravo’s 3rd Season “Top Chef” winner Hung Huynh. Teaching at the Walt Disney World, Disney Institute. Participating in cooking events including Alexander Valley Vineyards and Gundlach Bundschu Wineries both located in Sonoma California, the Destin Charity Wine Auction, the Culinary Vegetable Institutes Annual Food and Wine Celebration in Milan, Ohio and the Sarasota Florida & Wine fest and Auction.
In 2007, Restaurant Forum named Chef Jamie one of Central Florida’s Top 20 Chef’s. He is the only caterer to receive this award. Most recently, The Orlando Business Journal named Jamie one of Orlando’s “40 Under 40” which recognizes the rising young professionals who are shaping the economy of Central Florida.
When not in the kitchen, Jamie takes time out to develop fund raising events for his PEAS Foundation, www.peasfoundation.org He also sits on the advisory board of the Central Florida Hope & Help Center, he teaches healthy cooking classes at the Morning Star School as part of Michelle Obama’s “Chefs Move Schools” program, sits on the advisory board for Edible Orlando Magazine, co-coordinates Orlando’s Annual Lance Armstrong Foundation Fundraiser, and is part of the planning team for the annual Winter Park Harvest Festival.
