Get to know Food Network winner and Kings Island chef
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MASON — A two-time winner of the Food Network’s “Chopped” reality TV cooking contest and contestant on Alton Brown’s “Cutthroat Kitchen” was named executive chef at Kings Island a few months ago.
Chef James Major is a Culinary Institute of America Certified Pro Chef II, a U.S. Navy veteran, and Ohio native who previously served for more than four years as executive chef at the Cincinnati Reds Great American Ball Park.
He is coming at a time as Kings Island focuses on upping its food game with the addition of the new Coney Bar B Que in Coney Mall next to the Scrambler.
The new fast-casual dining location will offer barbecue favorites including smoked St. Louis-style ribs, pulled pork, rotisserie chicken and Queen City Sausage along with a fresh selection of side dishes.
The location is included in the park’s dining plans.
Major says a minimum of 10,000 meals per day are served at the park and can go as high as 50,000 depending on the park’s attendance that day and this new location will be another strong option to entice hungry thrill-seekers and families.
Working in restaurants and large catering companies — and especially as the former Executive Chef of the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds — has prepared him for this role.
“I have done food at Super Bowls, All-Star Games and the World Series … I am used to big venues,” said Major. “I worked at the Great American ballpark for fourand-a-half years. If you ate it and you drank it, I was responsible for it … I’ve been doing this for 30 years — I’m used to big volumes and big numbers.”
Designing menus and new concepts is also something he’s used to.
“In the amusement park industry you’re constantly challenging your team to find new ways to help friends and family come together, and the culinary experience is a big part of that” said Mike Koontz, Kings Island Vice President and General Manager. “Chef Major is here to help create those memorable food and dining options throughout the park that will enhance the guest’s visit.”
Major is on board with that vision.
“Food is fun. At the end of the day, it’s just food. When you take a bite of the food it’s about memories,” said Major.
“I want to bring a memory or create a memory. If we do the food right we will be helping to create memories.”
Not surprisingly the most popular place to eat right now is Coney Bar B Que according to Major. After all, “it’s new, it’s fresh and it’s cool.”
He points out that it has something for everyone including vegetarian and gluten-free options and is the first place at the park where he says they are delivering a completely from scratch menu.
The restaurant, which opened on April 14 at the beginning of the 2018 season, has architecture and decor that pays tribute to the early days of Kings Island and Coney Mall. Covered outdoor seating areas feature views of Coney Mall and the Grand Carousel.
When pressed Major won’t tell his favorite dish, but admits that it is special. At the end of the day, “picking my favorite food at this park is like picking my favorite kid — I love them all equally.”
Major says he believes there are great opportunities What: Kings Island Where: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason More information: 513-754-5700 or visitkingsisland.com
NEW ON THE MENU There are several new dishes at the park this year. Here’s a look at a few of them: Coney Bar B Que: Smoked tri-tip, rotisserie chicken and hushpuppies
Juke Box Diner: Split dog Let’s Talk Turkey: Baconon-a-stick
Red’s Hall of Fame Grille: Three strike tacos and riblettes
Street Funnel: Churro nuggets in his new role to look for fresh ingredients and finding ways to prepare dishes from scratch.
“My goal as a chef is to get them thinking about what they want to eat, and then what ride they want to get on,” said Major. “I hope at some point that we can get the word out that we aren’t just hot dogs and chicken tenders and that we are a food destination.”
“It’s an honor for me and my team to have the chance to be creative and provide great food experiences that add to those memories and the fun guests have during their visit,” said Major. “I’m a big kid at heart, so I’m in the right place.”
Dayton Eats looks at the regional food stories and restaurant news that make mouths water. Menu updates, special dinners and events, new chefs, interesting new dishes and culinary adventures. Do you know of new exciting format changes, specials, happy hours, restaurant updates or any other tasty news you think is worth a closer look at? E-mail Alexis Larsen at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com with the information and we will work to include it in future coverage.