It’s the busy season for Jason Palmer, director of food and beverage at Okemo Mountain Resort, where he oversees all culinary operations year-round. Okemo offers visitors a dozen dining options during the winter that range from grab-and-go cafeterias to full-service, fine dining — and everything in between.
Now in his second year, Palmer arrived at Okemo with a ton of industry experience, having served as beverage manager at the Mount Washington Hotel; food and beverage director at Burke Mountain, Trapp Family Lodge and Mount Snow; and regional sales manager with U.S. Foods. He also owned a restaurant called Allium in Waterbury, Vt.
A Vermont native, Palmer grew up outside Burlington, learning to ski at Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond when he was just 5 years old and going on to race while in high school. “Ironically, I skied a lot more prior to working in the business,” Palmer told New England Ski Journal as he graciously stepped out of the kitchen to talk a little shop.
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