Chef Mason Brings Fast & Fresh to the Table

March 5, 2018

Chef Michael Mason shapes the menus at Community Table based on his experience growing up in a multi-cultural neighborhood. It was there that Chef Mason learned about food's impact and how different cultures use grains, proteins, vegetables and sauces to build community. Today, he incorporates that understanding into the mix of global flavors that is found in the healthy bowls, salads and barbecue choices offered at FareStart's newest eateries. He emphasizes that food is what fuels people and it needs to start with good ingredients. Nearly every dish at Community Table is made from scratch rather than out of a box. 

"By providing good, nutritious food to our customers, they can function at their best. They walk away not simply full, but satisfied."

Working alongside his staff and apprentices, Chef Mason shares his energy and enthusiasm about food. It's infectious. He encourages them to approach food in a whole new way, learning from each other. "Read a recipe like a book - learn how the ingredients build on each other and why certain flavors emerge. You're telling a story in the food you serve," he says. "Be curious."

His advice to apprentices is "Invest in yourself. Learn your craft. See what others are doing and discover the joy in food. It gives you value and, as a chef, you need to find that value and respect the food and what it does for people."

Chef Mason believes Community Table has an inherent responsibility to uphold good food values. Customers can always count on nutritious, quality food whether they choose jambalaya, a Marrakech Bowl, a Hacienda Salad or one of the new BBQ wraps on the menu. 

Community Table is open to the public for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is located at 399 Fairview Avenue North in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood.