Grill the Chef: Jason Mendes

* Age: 30 * Culinary training: Started as a dishwasher at 16 and worked my way up the ladder ever since. * Former gigs: Freestone's City Grill, New Bedford, Mass.; Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa, Fort Myers. * Cooking specialty: Italian food and grilled steaks with appropriate sauces. * Inspirations: Blaine Burgess, my current general manager, worked in the kitchen as a chef and he helps me be all I can be and strive to that next level. * Favorite cuisine (to eat): I love wings and pizza. * Favorite food destination: I would love to go to Italy to taste the food and see how things are prepared over there. * Preferred kitchen footwear: I don't have one specific kind of shoe, but the ones I currently wear are from Wal-mart and they have lasted about three-plus years. * Favorite seasoning: Cajun seasoning or Montreal Steak Seasoning (a mixture of ground peppers, garlic and spices). * Things you can't get through the day without: A glass of soda, preferably Coke, and lunch. * Favorite quick meal: Buffalo chicken tenders with dipping sauce. * Overused ingredient: Onions * Cooking gods: Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse. * Guilty food pleasure: Chocolate. * Food aversion you can't get over: Full seafood dinner. * Upcoming food trend: Poached food. * When not thinking about food or cooking food, I am: Enjoying my time with my wife, 4-year-old daughter and newborn daughter. via News Press