OCTOBER 27th, 2021-JACKSONVILLE, OR—THE JACKSONVILLE INN is pleased to announce the appointment of John Blevins as Head Chef of the iconic Rogue Valley restaurant. Blevins will oversee kitchen operations for new owners, ADLO RESTAURANTS, LLC, a partnership of local Rogue Valley residents Corey and Amy Donovan, Jeremy and Randee Leever, Shaun and Crissie Olson and Laz Ayala.

“We are thrilled to have John join the Jacksonville Inn team as our Head Chef,” said Corey Donovan.  “He has over 15 years of superior culinary experience in successful restaurants in the Bay Area; including being named in 2016 by StarChefs as one of Rising Young Chefs in San Francisco, who “represent the vanguard of the contemporary American dining scene.”

Blevins is a seasoned culinary professional having worked at some of America’s most famous restaurants, including Gather Restaurant in Berkeley, CA (voted one of the top 10 Best New Restaurants in America) Blevins also worked at 4505 Meats in San Francisco where he gained knowledge of whole animal butchery and charcuterie. In 2013, Blevins opened the ground-breaking Clove & Hoof Restaurant in Oakland, CA as chef/owner, where he gained national recognition from the likes of Food Network’s Guy Fieri for an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and being named by Bon Appetit Magazine’s list of “10 of Our Favorite Butcher Shops Across the Country.”  In 2017 Blevins was a finalist for The Good Food Award, representing the best of America’s growing food movement.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to come work in the Rogue Valley at the Jacksonville Inn with its commitment to showcase the freshest local offerings of farmers, ranchers, fishers, brewers and winemakers of the Pacific Northwest.” said Blevins. “I believe in knowing where our food is coming from,” Blevins says. “I want to know every farm. I want to know the product.”

“We’re delighted to add someone with John’s passion and imagination to our team.” said Randee Leever of ADLO Restaurants. “This appointment was the culmination of a search which screened candidates from around the West Coast to find the best person who shared our commitment to the finest foods and beverages sourced whenever possible from local farms, food artisans, small-batch distillers, wineries and craft brewers.”

“We’re confident John will inspire our talented kitchen team and continue the high standards of culinary excellence that the Jacksonville Inn has pursued for nearly 45 years.”  Donovan added, “With his many years of working in some of America’s best restaurants, John will consolidate the Jacksonville Inn’s position as one of Southern Oregon’s top-rated restaurants.” Chef Blevins began his new position at the Jacksonville Inn on October 27th.