Jason Triail is a native New Yorker, but when it comes to The Habit Burger Grill he’s all about California.
Triail is the new director of culinary innovation at the Irvine-based chain, bringing to the role a wide range of experience in food service.
He started out in the kitchen as a Long Island teenager before getting into management and moving west. He led culinary training for the Yard House and co-founded Chef’d, a meal kit company. In addition, he was a contestant on the Food Network’s “Supermarket Stakeout” in 2022.
He brings it all to The Habit, including a love for the brand. It was founded in Santa Barbara in 1969 and boasts “feel-good California food.” It’s known for its Charburgers, which are grilled rapidly over high heat.
“I’ve always been attracted to The Habit.” Triail said in a phone interview. “How can I be part of this incredible journey?”
It turns out he had to audition for it in what he called a cooking interview for top executives.
“I had to come up with two products. And ultimately I had two additional ones in my back pocket. I worked on it for a few weeks,” he said.
“I did a lot of research on that to really embrace The Habit brand with the products I was creating. How do I tell the story of California fresh, and how do I connect the dots?”
The research included field work.
“Here I am, I’m going into The Habit, different locations, and I’m asking, ‘Can I buy some of your bread?’ ‘Oh, You want it toasted? ‘No, no. I just need your bread.’ And, ‘Can I buy some of your paper boats? And can I get some of your paper lining?’ They’re like, ‘What are you doing?’”
He came up with a chicken banh mi sandwich garnished with a chicken wing and a new take on The Habit’s tenderloin sandwich, which is not currently on the menu.
“I did this blackberry barbecue sauce on this steak sandwich, and I told this story about how it reminded me of Los Olivos, going blackberry picking with…
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