From intimate romantic dinners to lively family gatherings and team-building events, Chef Jonathan crafts entirely unique dishes for guests at Bryn Mawr’s vineyard lodging
Salem, OR – March 30, 2025 – Bryn Mawr Vineyards debuts a new series of customizable private Chef dining experiences for 2026, led by Culinary Director and James Beard nominated Chef, Jonathan Jones. Designed exclusively for guests lodging on Bryn Mawr’s immersive vineyard properties, each experience begins with a collaborative conversation to create the menu.
Chef Jonathan meets with each guest to understand their tastes, memories, and curiosities around food. Through a series of thoughtful, open-ended questions, he invites guests to reflect on everything from childhood meals and recent standout dining experiences to moments when food has brought comfort or calm. From there, he lets his artistry take over, interpreting those conversations to entirely new dishes, never done before, and deeply personal to those at the table.
These immersive culinary experiences highlight seasonal, locally sourced ingredients while showcasing Chef Jonathan’s artistic, soulful approach to cuisine. Guests can also shape the level of interaction, choosing how involved they’d like Chef to be throughout the experience; from a more traditional, quietly observed meal to a highly collaborative, hands-on exchange. In addition to the meal, guests are overlooking the rolling landscapes of the Eola-Amity Hills, picturesque vineyards, and occasionally views of Mt. Jefferson.
“With these experiences, I’m pushing myself in new ways, both creatively and personally,” said Chef Jonathan. “It’s a chance to cook more intuitively, drawing inspiration from each guest while working with the best seasonal ingredients, many of which come straight from my own garden. At the end of the day, it’s about creating something delicious, but also something meaningful and completely one of a kind.”
Customizable Private Dining Packages:
Package 1: Quiet Magic — $200 per person, gratuity included
- Maximum 2 guests | 5 courses
- A refined, traditional fine dining experience with minimal chef interaction
- Seasonal and local ingredients, tailored to guest preferences
- Table and ambiance fully curated; playlist included
- Wine pairing suggestions available (wine not included)
- Ideal for intimate celebrations, anniversaries, or romantic milestones.
Sample Menu: Apple sage pork belly tart, sweet corn consomme with Dungeness crab dumplings, duck breast with wood mushroom and cherry glaze, chocolate spice cake with Asian pear compote.
Package 2: The Big Show — $260 per person, gratuity included
- 1–8 guests | 6 courses
- Maximum chef interaction; guests are invited to engage and learn during preparation with opportunity for hands on experiences.
- Seasonal and local ingredients, tailored to guest input
- Table and ambiance fully curated; playlist included
- Wine pairing suggestions available (wine not included)
- Ideal for birthday parties, team building outings, corporate retreats, bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Sample Menu: Fermented spring vegetable soup, smoked pastrami celeriac with vegan flatbread, huckleberry aguachile with sticky coconut rice, lamb belly with sorghum and sheep cheese risotto, haksap sorbet with mint and sage.
Package 3: A Great Rumpus — $100 per person, gratuity included
- 4–12 guests | 4–6 courses served family style
- Informal chef interaction; focus on communal, family-style dining
- Seasonal and local ingredients, tailored to guest preferences
- Playlist and signature punch or cocktail recipe included (alcohol not provided)
- Ideal for family gatherings, brunches, and casual reunions
Sample Menu: Duck confit with cheddar grits, buttermilk corncake with yam chutney, pickled and fermented fall veggie hash with pork belly, fried maitake with yeasted buttermilk waffle and Welsh rarebit.
Chef Jonathan Jones’ cuisine draws from his diverse upbringing across Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Vermont, blending “Amish Soulfood” traditions with regional influences. His menus reflect a commitment to hearty, nutritionally dense dishes that nourish both body and soul, with each plate designed to convey emotion, memory, and story. Recognized with multiple James Beard Award nominations, Jonathan combines his culinary expertise with his background in writing and photography to create experiences that are as visually and emotionally rich as they are delicious.
For more information or to book your stay at Bryn Mawr Vineyards, please visit www.brynmawrvineyards.com.
