Jason Stowell

Jason Stowell, 43, passed away unexpectedly at his mother's home in Pillager on March 19, 2016.

He had returned to the states on March 9, 2016, after a year in China.

Visitation will be Monday, March 28, 2016 from 10-11 am with a service at 11 at the Brenny Funeral Home.

Chef Jason was born in Brainerd, Minnesota on September 2, 1972.
His mom's little red headed baby. He grew up in Baxter (when it was just a few dirt roads)
He attended the SDA elementary church school and graduated from Lake Region Christian School in 1991.
He had a passion for cooking that started at an early age, cooking with his Grandma Fran in her kitchen. He especially loved her pancakes, soups, and bread.
When he was 16 he got his first job in the restaurant business at Mr. Steak, in Brainerd. He started as a dishwasher and quickly progressed to cooking. He was hooked!
Once he completed high school, he headed out on what would be the beginning of 25 years of traveling, living, cooking, perfecting, and exploring.
He began at Johnson's Corner, a truck stop, in Johnstown, Colorado.
While working there he stayed with his dear Auntie Helen and Uncle Bob, enjoying her good cooking, especially her chicken and homemade noodles.
He went from Colorado to Arkansas to Minneapolis and even a few summers at Maddens on Gull Lake, learning all he could.
His natural gift for cooking and dedication to the art, quickly earned him the respect of those who worked with him.

At the age of 22, his thirst for knowledge and urge to explore the world, led him to an 18-month apprenticeship in Switzerland, at the Gusthof Lowen in Eschlikon. He studied German and French cuisine. His skill and palate were the perfect match for this apprenticeship and he excelled.
He returned state-side working as an executive chef in Virginia, (Minnesota) and various restaurants in the twin cities, and central Minnesota.
It wasn't long, and his love for travel beckoned once again.
He flew to Guatemala to take an executive chef job at a resort where he transformed their processes and menu.
The next stop on his world tour was China where he spent five years, opening restaurants in cities from Ningbo to Beijing. He returned to the states for a brief time but his spirit wasn't happy unless he was in another land. He took a job in Mongolia whicheventually led him to Thailand and then back to China. He returned to Pillager recently where he passed away unexpectedly in his home on March, 19 2016. He was 43.
Jason's love for cooking and gift for writing touched the hearts of everyone he knew. He was a loving son, a protective brother, a funny uncle and a fierce friend. He had a wicked, dry sense of humor. No one can make us laugh as he did. He wrote many letters and emails to family and close friends, his writing was unique, witty, and wise.
He made our world a brighter place to be and will be sorely missed for a very long time. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.