Chef Shane Spencer’s culinary journey began with classical training, culminating in graduating as the top student from Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2002. He then embarked on a career at some of San Diego, California’s most esteemed restaurants, dedicating 16 years to refining his skills as an Executive Chef. However, his culinary path changed when he ventured into catering and offered a more intimate dining experience as a private chef. Chef Shane allows his creations to speak for themselves, reflecting his genuine passion for every dish he prepares.
In a serendipitous twist, Chef Shane crossed paths with Chef Sean Readman in the early 2000s. At the same time, both were involved in opening a restaurant called The Farm in Redlands, California, and later, coincidentally, The State in the exact location. Their partnership led to a great friendship and a decision to combine their extensive culinary backgrounds across various southern California restaurants. In 2018, they officially joined forces.
Initially operating under Spencer Readman, they later felt it resembled a law firm or Wall Street company more than their culinary venture. In 2021, they rebranded themselves as Wild Javelina Private Chef & Catering Services, marking the beginning of their successful journey throughout California. Despite their flourishing catering business, Chef Shane remains cooking for high-profile clients in Orange County and San Diego. Meanwhile, Chef Sean holds the position of Executive Chef at La Volata in Redlands, California.
Chef Shane’s unexpected foray into beef jerky sales began in early 2020 when the world faced lockdowns. What initially started as a lighthearted hobby, born out of his 20 years of culinary experience, soon transformed into a passion as he discovered the overwhelming appreciation from his gym’s patrons. Three years later, he continues to serve his private clients and cater events, all while managing a thriving beef jerky startup known as Wild Javelina. This Wild Javelina brand is distributed under the same name as Wild Javelina, and it is located in Redlands, California.
The next review on Wild Javelina will focus on a 2.5 ounce/71 gram bag of their Caramelized 5 Spiced Apple Tamayaki flavored beef brisket jerky. This flavor is described as being made for all the traditional teriyaki jerky lovers, having notes of Chinese five spice, organic local apples, tamarind, and ginger. The jerky was graciously submitted for review by co-founder Chef Shane Spencer.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef Round. Top Round Roast, Boneless, Separable Lean Only Trimmed to 0 Fat, All Grades, Raw Water, Apple*, Pineapple*, Cane Sugar*, Ginger*, Brown Sugar*, Pineapple*, Onions*, Oranges*, Liquid Amino Acids, Apple Cider, Alcoholic Beverage, Rice (Sake), Tamarind Paste, Rice Vinegar, Soy Sauce – Low Sodium – La Choy, Fish Sauce, Mirin, Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled White Vinegar, Anchovies, Garlic, Molasses, Onions, Salt, Sugar, Water, Chili Pepper Extract, Cloves, Natural Flavorings, Tamarind Extract), Black Pepper*, Garlic*, Chinese 5 Spice*, Cilantro*, Bay Leaf*. *=Organic Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat, Anchovy
This brisket cut of beef is ethically raised, meaning it is guaranteed to be free of growth hormones and additional antibiotics. The cattle are guaranteed to have some free range access to roam about and graze on grass the way nature intended. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
This busy liquid marinade used here is comprised of raw water, healthy apple cider, alcohol, healthy sake, healthy rice vinegar, low sodium soy sauce, fish sauce, mirin, and a respectable brand of Worcestershire sauce.
Some healthy ingredients added are organic apples, organic pineapples, organic ginger, organic onions, organic oranges, organic black pepper, organic garlic, organic Chinese five spice, organic cilantro, and organic bay leaf.
The sugar level is high at 7 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 5 grams of sugar or less for a sweet based flavor, as we have here. The salt level is reasonable at 290mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky is confirmed as having no sodium nitrite. Instead, salt is the main preservative used, and apple cider and rice vinegar to a lesser extent. Admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
WILD JAVELINA – CARAMELIZED 5 SPICED APPLE TAMAYAKI BEEF BRISKET JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell fruit, but I’m not sure which at this point. The pieces vary in size from smallish to medium in size, and the same for thickness. The jerky is soft and a bit moist, leaving some oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky I immediately pick up on the apple. Not sure what “tamiyaki” means, but I presume it’s a spin on the teriyaki flavor.
I taste salt and sweet, both at borderline levels. I’m not sure about the acidity of the jerky. Is it the apple or the tamiyaki? I also taste pepper, slight garlic, and natural beef.
While I am enjoying this flavor, it is not a home run. It suffices where necessary, but there is no “Wow” factor. This jerky is coming across as advertised. My biases aside, I must award this jerky as a 9/10. It’s not blowing me away, so there’s no perfect rating.
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
I am somewhat confused with this Wild Javelina – Apple Tamiyaki Beef Jerky. I don’t know if I am supposed to taste apple. Is this an Asian flavor, or what the heck is this supposed to be? I taste some sweetness, but it doesn’t taste like apples, and I don’t pick up on an Asian flair. I’ve tasted many things, some fishiness, some herbs and seasonings, and little to no beef flavor.
I can’t find a Wow factor or anything to justify taking another bite. As I am chewing, I have more questions than answers, and I keep wondering why. I’d rate this jerky between 6 to 8/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Caramelized 5 Spiced Apple TamaYaki beef brisket jerky flavor from Wild Javelina: “Thanks Stéphane and Paul for the diverging taste reviews. I certainly lean more with Paul here. I thought the flavor of apples came across nicely as a lifelong fan of apples. So did the taste of teriyaki with the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, organic pineapple, organic onions, organic ginger, and some sweetness without going overboard. I can’t entirely disagree with Stéphane in that it does not taste like apples, has no Asian flair, and little to no beef flavor.”
“The Chinese five spice aspect (fennel, star anise, Chinese cinnamon, cloves, Sichuan peppercorns) is hard to ascertain. I am not familiar with Chinese five spice, so it’s difficult to comment either way. I could find nothing wrong with this busy flavor and found it addictive. With Stéphane at a 7 rating, Paul at a 9 rating, and myself at a 10 rating, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 2.5 ounce/71 gram bag of jerky sells online for $10. That works out to $4.00 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has a label affixed on the front and nothing on the back. The Wild Javelina logo features a wild javelina, which resembles a pig from the peccary family. This bag is vacuum sealed, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting.
A slogan on this bag could be “Chef Crafted Brisket Beef Jerky”. There are no facts printed on this bag.
Some missing bag categories are a best before date, a USDA stamp, the jerky weight stated in grams, a barcode, and no blurb printed about Wild Javelina or this flavor. Instagram handles are provided. To the credit of Wild Javelina, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries.
Order their jerky online: www.chefshanespencer.com
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