Local Chef Ranked Among Best In U.S. By Food & Wine Magazine

ORCAS ISLAND, WA - A Washington state chef has been ranked one of the best new chefs in the U.S. by Food & Wine Magazine.

Jay Blackinton, a former Seattle bike messenger, operates Hogstone's Wood Oven on Orcas Island. It's about a four-hour ride from central Puget Sound - but the reviews say the trip is worth it.

"Blackinton spent years cooking for friends in Seattle, dumpster-diving ingredients and getting by as a bike messenger. Nine years ago he left the mainland for Orcas Island, scraped together [$15,000] and in 2013 opened Hogstone’s, making blistered pizzas and more complex wood-fired cuisine using ingredients from partner John Steward’s Maple Rock Farm. He raises his own pigs—he’d slaughtered “Grunt” just before our visit—digs his own clams, grows his own vegetables," the magazine wrote about Blackinton.

Blackinton was one of a dozen chefs from around the country selected. Blackinton was also nominated for a James Beard award this year as a rising star chef.

Hogstone's Wood Oven is located in the Eastsound section of Orcas Island, and spring hours are limited - 5:30 p.m. to close Friday through Monday. Diners can order wood-fired pizzas, or a la carte items. Learn more about Blackinton and the restaurant here.

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