|
Perched on a hill
overlooking the bay of Naples amongst the ruins of Pompeii emerges
the memory of the Villa of Mysteries. The ill fated Pompeii
flourished before Mount Vesuvius decided to take its toll on her in
79 AD, as it was a city of sophistication & civility with an
eclectic population & style of living. The Villa of Mysteries, a
former wine producing estate, houses one of the most beautiful
series of frescoes known from the classical world of the Mediterranean. She
has subsequently been an inspiration of scholarly debate for nearly
a century, where she has toyed with historians, artists,
psychoanalysts & viticulturalists, alike. She is also the
inspiration for the dining establishment located at 82 Society
Street, where one finds a rendering of the past with the present,
and where food and wine meld together in harmony as in the
Mediterranean tradition.
Chef Jason Houser
"I enjoy using simple, bold flavors while performing unique interpretations of classic dishes. Our food at Muse works in tandem with fine wines from around the world, but still strives for its own unique signature palate."
Chef Jason Houser’s goals are to unite local seafood and vegetables from the Carolina coast with spices and cooking traditions from the whole Mediterranean. Upon traveling around the Mediterranean, Chef Houser fell in love with the simplicity, and variety of the food. This discovery is obvious in his offerings at Muse, where the influences of France, Italy, Spain, Morocco, and the Middle East are evident throughout each of his unique dishes. Chef Houser doesn't allow limitations like different regions to restrict his sensibilities in the kitchen; he skillfully combines cross cultural ingredients with varied techniques.
While obtaining a Religious Studies degree at the College of Charleston, Chef Houser cooked his way through college nurturing a natural curiosity about cooking methods and ingredients. Through years of experience, he uncovered a passion that led him to work with some of the great chefs of the business. In particular, his most notable influences are Chef Bob Waggoner and Michelle Weaver of Charleston Grill, where he served as the Sous Chef for three years.During vacations, Chef Houser staged with a variety of the country's best chefs, from Joël Antunes in Atlanta, GA, Chef Rick Tramonto at Tru, Chicago,IL, and Rick Bayless at Topolobampo, Chicago, to Chef Eric Ripert at Le Bernardin, New York, and Chef Daniel Boulud at Daniel, New York.
Chef Houser has appeared on Low Country Live, in Charleston Magazine, Charleston City Paper, and the Post & Courier. He earned a prestigious James Beard Foundation Nomination for Best Chef South East within only a year of creating the menu at Muse.
|
