Raised in Southern California, Chef Jensen Cummings was literally born to be in the restaurant industry. His culinary heritage reaches back hundreds of years to his French family name, La Fond — a name derived from the classic sauce built from deglazing a pan used to roast meats or vegetables. His grandfather and great grandfather both owned bars and restaurants in San Francisco and currently, his three uncles own seven restaurants between them.

After graduating high school, Cummings joined two of his uncles in Ames, Iowa and studied within the confines of their five-restaurant empire. Each restaurant concept allowed him to work in every department — honing a multitude of skills —while attending Des Moines Culinary Academy, under Chef Robert Anderson. His next move would take him to Kansas City to work under James Beard award winner Debbie Gold at 40 Sardines before hearing the call from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

In Denver, Chef Cummings spent two years working with industry giant Kevin Taylor at his three restaurants before joining “Continental Social Food” creator Chef Troy Guard at his Larimer Square restaurant, TAG. At one of the most progressive platforms in Denver, Cummings has been an advocate in bridging the gap between local product and international cuisine. He works with Colorado Fresh Markets, the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado Proud to build relationships, logistics, and transportation between farmers and restaurants. Now at the helms with Row 14 Bistro & Wine Bar, Chef Cummings is bringing his “Pangean Cuisine” and “Fortune Cookie Philosophy” to a new audience!

“My southern California roots and love of the ocean pushed me to seek new and exciting seafood to showcase in the Denver scene. Working with Seattle Fish Company, I have been able to present dishes with previously under utilized gems from all over the globe to right here in Colorado, such as South African Black Ruff, Ecuadorian Kingklip, California Sheepshead, Hawaiian Moi and Alamosa Hybrid Striped Bass. I am also a huge advocate of Colorado Catch in Alamosa, CO, featuring both comfort and progressive plates with the versatile Striped Bass. Currently at Row 14 Bistro & Wine Bar, you can enjoy Alamosa Bass with a vegetable stir-fry, sambal chile, pea shoots, and a soy ginger butter sauce. Bon Apetito!”—Chef Jensen Davis Cummings