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 Pineapple & Achiote flavored beef brisket jerky. This jerky was kindly submitted for review by co-founder Chef Shane Spencer.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef Brisket, Lakewood Organic Pineapple Juice*, Cane Sugar*, Brown Sugar*, Chipotles in Adobo (Chipotle Peppers, Vinegar, Tomatoes, Soybean Oil and Spices), Tangerines*, Lime Juice, Pineapple*, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Rice Vinegar, Fish Sauce, Vegan Worcestershire Sauce*, Ginger*, Garlic*, Liquid Amino Acids, Black Pepper*, Water, Annatto Seed, Paprika, Cumin, Oregano, 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 water, super healthy Lakewood organic pineapple juice, a good brand of Adobo chipotle sauce, healthy lime juice, a decent soy sauce, healthy rice vinegar, fish sauce, and organic vegan Worcestershire sauce.
Some healthy ingredients added are organic tangerines, organic pineapple, organic ginger, organic garlic, organic black pepper, annatto seeds, paprika, cumin, oregano, and organic bay leaf.
The sugar level is acceptable at 5 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky for a sweet based flavor, as we have here. The salt level is low at 170mg 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.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
WILD JAVELINA – PINEAPPLE & ACHIOTE BEEF BRISKET JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell an alien aroma. I’m not sure what it is that I’m smelling. It’s almost like a tangy, minty-like aroma. My wife said it smelled like soy sauce. The pieces are medium in size, sliced rather thin, and are easy to chew, not rigid like our forefathers intended, but not too soft. There is an ever so slight oily film left on your fingers when handling this jerky.
I googled achiote, which stated that achiote is a shrub (with red flowers, according to the picture) native to Central America.
I taste salt at a decent level, pepper at a decent level, and mediocre sweetness. I definitely pick up on the pineapple flavor and the alien flavor, which I will attribute to the achiote because, to the best of my knowledge, it’s a flavor I haven’t really encountered before.
As I eat more, I am altering my assessment of the alien flavor to more of an “orange peel”ish flavor, somewhat bitter(ish), but not too intense. I am warming up quite well to this flavor, both for its originality and taste appeal.
Gentlemen, I am quite prepared to give this unique flavored jerky a 10/10. The chef who created this jerky flavor is quite a culinary genius. Hats off!!!😋👍
Here is what Mark had to say about this Pineapple & Achiote beef brisket jerky flavor from Wild Javelina: “Thanks Paul for the favorable taste review. Right off the bat, the fragrance emanating from these jerky strips smells wonderful. The flavor starts with a pineapple flavor, but as I chew more, the pineapple tends to get lost in this complex, well-balanced taste profile. This is unlike any flavor I have tried before and tastes delicious.”
“Stéphane was excluded from this taste review because it contains cumin, which completely throws his taste reviews off and does bad things to his stomach. While the cut of beef brisket is used, I cannot say that I noticed it is brisket. In any case, this is the type of flavor that I could eat all day. A unanimous, well-deserved Excellent (10/10) taste rating will be awarded. Ditto. Hats off to Chef Shane for this culinary masterpiece. 👍👍”
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.
Excellent (10/10) – 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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