Jason (Chef) and Julia (Restaurant Manager) love all things food and beverage.  They believe in the healing powers of food and beverage, physically, mentally and emotionally.  This is one of the reasons they use only premium ingredients.  While it does cost more, it also tastes better and doesn't have harmful ingredients, such as antibiotics, hormones, dangerous chemicals and pesticides.  At Stella’s, they serve only domestic wild caught shrimp.  Their pork, chicken, beef, duck, quail, and fish are all from responsible sources.  Julia says, “Many people think chicken is chicken- but it is not. There are real differences when it comes to what goes in to sustainable and responsible growing and farming.”

In their commitment to serving high quality ingredients, they shop local!  They have built relationships with many farmers and purveyors over the last almost 12 years of owning Stella's. They know their practices and share the same values and commitment to quality.  Julia and Jason are very proud to say they shake the farmer's hand who grew the vegetables when she delivers her produce.  They can have a conversation with the artisan that makes their cheese regarding what they liked about the latest batch or something different they might be looking for.  They talk to the fisherman on the phone from his boat and place their fish order for delivery from Charleston the next day!  They can ask their local coffee company to adjust their house blend if it seems too dark or light. It is a different way of operating than many others and it gives them more control over what they purchase.  It also supports our upstate community.  It ensures that the items that stand out on the plate are hand-picked!

Their mission is to serve thoughtful chef driven cuisine and quality crafted beverages from professional and knowledgeable staff with a core value of hospitality. Jason and Julia try to find staff that love this business, and food and beverage in general, as much as they do!   As Julia states, “There are a lot of long, long hours, nights, weekends and holidays, so to be in this business, you have to love it, or else the hardships overpower the wins.”

Julia also had this to say: “When the symphony of a service happens and everything is firing on all cylinders from beginning to end (service, hospitality, exhilaration, timing, drinks, menu, food, surprising cuisine, guests delight, excitement, introducing a new food or wine)....that's a win. It's a great thing to be a part of, and it takes the whole team.  When guests love what we do, they have a great experience and they leave feeling better than they did when they arrived. That is what keeps us going.”

Jason and Julia plan to continue to grow responsibly, contribute to their community, remain committed to their sourcing and high-quality standards, and continue to contribute to Greenville's evolving food and beverage community. Visit them today to be a part of this great community!