Jason and Heather Hernandez have both been part of the hospitality community for over 30 years. In 2018, they created Blade & Tine Culinary, a consulting company that has sent them all over the country to help open restaurants and train culinary teams.
In addition to providing consultation services, the couple opened Graze Street AMI, located on Anna Maria Island—one of Florida’s best-kept secrets. The chef-driven modern market offers artisan sandwiches, salads, dessert, cheese, charcuterie and more. Jason explains how they made their dreams become a reality.
What inspired you to get into foodservice?
“At a young age, I started working in restaurants because I loved the idea of food. I wanted to know how food was prepared and how I could be creative and inspired by others. Also, I always received a shift meal so I knew that I would never go hungry.”
What do you love about your businesses?
“Our businesses were created after years of working in corporate restaurants. We are now able to work with and inspire others through our food. We have taken the life lessons and applied them here to be able to bring flavors and culinary inspiration to a new area and community. Being blessed to work with great brands and have so many chef partners in the industry it is so great to constantly be inspired by others in the culinary world.”
What’s the most interesting thing to happen to your business?
“The most interesting thing to happen to our business is to be able to open a brick and mortar business. Doing private chef events for the past two years, we were able to meet so many locals and visitors that loved what we are doing and our flavors and allowed us to build and grow and expand that food experience to others.”
What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
“Starting a new business with just the two of us; we knew we could do it but learning all of the ins and outs of being a small business owner makes us appreciate it even more every day. Working for yourself there is nothing like it. It is the hardest and best decision that we have made.”
Which Cambro products help make your business work?
“Storage containers are key; we have such small batch products that we need to stay organized and make sure that products are easy to find and keep up with rotation. We are also looking into the [GoBag® Delivery Backpack]. They would be so great for our beach deliveries.”
Links for Graze Street AMI
Links for Blade and Tine Culinary
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