Unchopped by Justin Jennings
- Chef Justin Jennings
- Jan 11
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 17
UNCHOPPED by Justin Jennings blends 25 years of culinary expertise with personal stories, offering 100 recipes inspired by the chef's journey from rural Australia to Michelin-recognised kitchens in Lisbon. The book showcases his passion for sustainable cooking, private chef services, and modern Australian fusion cuisine. For more culinary inspiration, explore our private chef blog.
Key Highlights:
100 Recipes: Including real world, restaurant tested dishes using local ingredients.
Career Journey: From "Young Chef of the Year" at 23 to "The World Cook" Champion in 2022/23.
Michelin Recognition: Founder of "Downunder by Justin Jennings" in Lisbon.
Private Chef Services: Tailored menus for events in Portugal, starting at €65 per person.
Available on Amazon Kindle, this cookbook is perfect for home cooks and event hosts seeking professional-grade recipes and insights.
Justin Jennings' Career Path
From Small Towns to International Kitchens
Justin Jennings' culinary story started in the quiet coastal towns of Australia, where he found himself drawn to the bustling energy of commercial kitchens as a teenager. Growing up surrounded by sustainable farming, fishing, hunting, and foraging, he developed a strong connection to fresh, local ingredients early on. This upbringing laid the groundwork for his passion for food and propelled him from small-town kitchens to international culinary hotspots.
After establishing himself in Australia, Justin took his skills abroad. In 2015, he moved to Hong Kong as a consultant, where he achieved the impressive feat of opening five restaurants within just three months. By February 2017, his journey brought him to Lisbon, where he launched "Downunder by Justin Jennings", a cozy 60 seat restaurant that quickly gained recognition for its bold take on modern Australian cuisine and earned a Michelin Guide recommendation.
Career Milestones That Shaped the Book
At just 23 years old, Justin was named "Young Chef of the Year" in Australia - a title that marked the beginning of a career filled with achievements. Fast forward to 2022/23, at the age of 40, he went head-to-head with 15 top international chefs to become the first-ever "The World Cook" Champion!. This competition took him across the UK, Europe, and ultimately to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, with the grand finale aired on Amazon Prime. You can view more of his television appearances and press coverage in his media gallery.
But Justin's career runs much deeper than just awards. His hands-on experiences shaped his approach to cooking, from teaching commercial cookery with a formal teaching degree to becoming the preferred caterer for the Australian Embassy in Portugal. These roles, combined with his commitment to sustainable practices and years spent honing his craft, are reflected in the techniques and lessons shared in his cookbook, UNCHOPPED. With over 25 years of experience across three continents, every chapter of the book tells a story of growth, innovation, and dedication to the culinary world.
What You'll Find in UNCHOPPED
Stories Paired with Recipes
UNCHOPPED is a culinary journey spanning 25 years of international experience. Inside, you'll discover 100 recipes, each paired with personal career stories that give every dish a unique backstory. Instead of simply listing ingredients and steps, the book weaves together moments like the celebrated opening of "Downunder by Justin Jennings" in Lisbon with the recipes that defined those milestones.
This storytelling approach makes UNCHOPPED a window into a chef’s life spent blending flavours from Australian, European, and Asian cuisines into modern fusion dishes.
Techniques for Private Events and Catering
The book goes beyond personal anecdotes, offering recipes designed for real-world events. Drawing from years of experience catering for intimate and medium-sized gatherings, Justin shares insights on creating tailored menus, sourcing sustainable ingredients, and mastering plating techniques that rival Michelin-level presentations.
As the go-to caterer for the Australian Embassy in Portugal, Justin’s expertise shines through in the recipes, which balance flavours with creative international twists. For example, he demonstrates how to use coconut milk to soften acidity or add crispy elements for a satisfying texture, making the recipes perfect for elevating event menus.
Where to Purchase UNCHOPPED
You can find UNCHOPPED by Justin Jennings on Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0G6XNCXDJ.
Refined Classical Recipes in UNCHOPPED
Modifying Recipes for the ultimate home made meal
In UNCHOPPED, traditional dishes are reimagined, all while keeping their flavour and presentation intact. Justin's philosophy revolves around using fresh Atlantic seafood and locally sourced Portuguese ingredients to ensure that even dishes tailored for dietary restrictions maintain a Michelin-level quality. Instead of relying on heavily processed substitutes, the book highlights the importance of choosing ingredients that naturally align with the freshest of ingredients and the guidelines dictated by tradition.
The recipes focus on high-quality fats and proteins, such as grain fed meats, eggs, and seafood, paired with natural oils like olive oil and butter. These components are carefully balanced for maximum flavour and texture.
Customising Menus for Different Events
The dietary principles in UNCHOPPED seamlessly extend to his private chef services, where Justin crafts personalised menus for gatherings of 10 to 50 people. For events with mixed dietary preferences, he offers "deconstructed" dishes, such as Glazed summer veg with black garlic and hummus, allowing guests to tailor the meal to their needs without compromising on quality. This flexibility ensures a unified dining experience for everyone involved.
"Justin brings championship skill and zero ego to every event. From 10 guest family gatherings to 50 person corporate retreats, he handles menu design, shopping, cooking, and cleanup."PrivateChef.pt
How UNCHOPPED Connects to Private Chef Services
From Restaurant to Private Chef Work
Justin Jennings has taken the modern Australian style and fusion flavours that earned his Michelin recognition at Downunder by Justin Jennings and brought them into the world of private dining. His private chef services, available in Lisbon, Cascais, and Sintra, transform Michelin-quality cooking into personalised culinary experiences, perfect for intimate settings like villas, yachts, and Airbnb accommodations.
This transition from restaurant kitchens to private events reflects the ethos of his cookbook, UNCHOPPED. By focusing on professional techniques and sustainable practices - like sourcing Atlantic seafood and local Portuguese ingredients - Justin tailors each event to match the atmosphere and preferences of his clients. Rather than simply recreating restaurant dishes, he adapts his methods to craft unique menus that suit the occasion, offering a seamless blend of fine dining and personal touch.
Custom Menus for Different Events
Justin’s private chef services are as versatile as the recipes in UNCHOPPED. Whether it’s a cliffside wedding in Sintra, a corporate retreat in Cascais, or a 7-course tasting menu on a yacht, every menu is designed from the ground up to meet the specific tastes and dietary needs of the guests. His expertise extends to high-profile events, including diplomatic gatherings, where attention to detail is paramount.
"To Justin there is no greater satisfaction than seeing the host and all guests having a great time."Justin Jennings
The service includes everything from menu planning and ingredient sourcing to cooking and cleanup. Pricing starts at €65 per person for a 3-course meal, €87 for a 5-course degustation, and €135 for an 8-course experience, with a minimum spend of €500. Dietary needs - such as vegan, gluten-free, or keto - are accommodated without additional charges. During the busy season (May–September), bookings typically require 2–4 weeks' notice, though last-minute requests can sometimes be fulfilled within 48 hours.
Cookbook Recipes vs. Private Chef Services
The comparison below highlights how UNCHOPPED and Justin’s private chef services cater to different experiences:
Feature | UNCHOPPED Cookbook | Private Chef Services |
Primary Goal | Sharing 100 recipes and 25 years of culinary insights | Creating bespoke dining experiences on-site |
Customisation | Static recipes, modified by the reader | Fully tailored menus based on guest preferences |
Event Suitability | Home cooking and skill-building | Weddings, corporate events, and intimate gatherings (10–50 guests) |
Service Level | DIY (Do-It-Yourself) | Comprehensive service: planning, cooking, and cleanup |
Culinary Style | Modern Australian & International Fusion | Bespoke fusion, Portuguese, or International cuisine |
Dietary Focus | Recipes as a foundation for adaptation | Expert handling of vegan, keto, and gluten-free requirements |
Conclusion
Why UNCHOPPED Deserves a Spot on Your Shelf
UNCHOPPED by Justin Jennings is a 25-year culinary journey spanning Australia, Hong Kong, and Portugal. Packed with 100 carefully selected recipes, it intertwines these dishes with personal stories from Jennings' career, including his victory as the 2022/23 "The World Cook" champion and the Michelin acclaim earned by his Lisbon restaurant. For food lovers, this book is a treasure trove of professional techniques and flavour pairings that define his unique approach to cooking.
Beyond being a recipe collection, UNCHOPPED offers home cooks the tools to recreate restaurant-quality meals while embracing the essence of modern Australian fusion cuisine. It also highlights Jennings' dedication to sustainable practices, with a focus on responsible farming, fishing, and foraging. These principles are not just theoretical - they're woven into every recipe and reflect the ethos behind his private chef services in Lisbon and Cascais. As The Good Food Guide aptly puts it:
"Justin's Food is Broadly Classic but Rarely Predictable"
This book is an invitation to transform your kitchen and cooking philosophy.
What’s Next?
Want to change the way you view the kitchen? You can grab your copy of UNCHOPPED by Justin Jennings on Amazon Kindle and dive into his unforgettable recipes. Prefer a hands-on experience? Explore Justin Jennings Private Chef, where you can enjoy bespoke dining experiences starting at €65 per person. These services include everything from menu creation to cleanup, making them perfect for intimate dinners, weddings, and even corporate retreats.
Whether you're looking to elevate your home cooking or planning a special event, UNCHOPPED and Justin's private chef services bring modern Australian cuisine with a global twist to your table. For private event inquiries, reach out to Justin directly at justin@privatechef.pt or through his official website.
FAQs
What led Justin Jennings to write UNCHOPPED?
UNCHOPPED was originally chef Justin’s way of safeguarding and recording his own heavily tested recipes for his own future use. Only when he decided that the recipes deserved to be shared, did the book include the full picture of his culinary adventures. Additional to the recipes it traces his path from growing up in modest Australian towns to claiming the title of the first-ever The World Cook Champion and receiving Michelin acclaim. Through its pages, readers can explore his deep passion for cooking, unwavering determination, and the sheer joy he finds in the art of food.
Does UNCHOPPED by Justin Jennings include sustainable cooking practices?
Currently, UNCHOPPED by Justin Jennings doesn't delve deeply into sustainable cooking practices. The book primarily highlights Justin's culinary journey, his professional achievements - including Michelin recognition - and his experiences working in kitchens across Australia, Hong Kong, and Europe. However, it does explore his deep love and admiration for nature and its creations.
For those curious about Justin's cooking philosophy, UNCHOPPED provides an engaging insight into his passion for the craft and his unique take on modern Australian cuisine.
What makes Justin Jennings' private chef services special?
Justin Jennings brings a personalised dining experience right to your home or villa in Lisbon and Cascais. Every menu is carefully crafted to suit your preferences and dietary needs, offering a truly bespoke culinary adventure. From the initial planning to the final presentation, Justin oversees every aspect, ensuring a smooth and intimate experience.
Drawing on his award-winning culinary background from Australia, Justin blends bold, modern Australian flavours with the rich tastes of Portuguese cuisine. This distinctive combination results in menus that are both exciting and perfectly tailored to your occasion. For a closer look at his journey and culinary philosophy, check out his cookbook, UNCHOPPED by Justin Jennings, which chronicles his path from small-town beginnings to Michelin acclaim.
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