Growing fast-casual restaurant brand VertsKebap announced Jason Donoho as executive chef and culinary director. In this newly created position, Donoho will spearhead the company’s future menu enhancement and lead the brand’s mission to become the leader in fast-casual Mediterranean food.
“Following a year of successfully opening 10 additional restaurants, we are excited to intensify our commitment to delivering fresh, healthy food with delicious flavors,” said cofounder and CEO Michael Heyne. “Jason has extensive experience in menu creation, and his passion for our concept and Mediterranean cuisine is very exciting.”
Donoho, who has 20 years of culinary experience, most recently redeveloped the menu for Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse in the role as research and development chef. Prior to Alamo, Donoho served as executive chef at Fino Restaurant Patio & Bar and Asti Trattoria in Austin.
“After meeting Michael and Dominik and hearing their vision, I knew that joining Verts was an incredible opportunity to spearhead culinary development for an expanding, progressive fast-casual brand,” Donoho says. “I am excited to get into the kitchen and start developing new items that complement the existing VertsKebap menu guests have come to love.”
VertsKebap is building a test kitchen inside its original restaurant located at 2530 Guadalupe St., across from the University of Texas campus. When the kitchen is complete in January 2016, Donoho will utilize the space to refine existing menu options and create chef-inspired entrees, sides, sauces and more. Guests will be able to taste new items Donoho creates before they are added to all VertsKebap restaurant menus.
