Meet the Founders & Owners

E.L.K. was founded by husband and wife Jason and Pamela Hill.

The idea for E.L.K was born from the love of food, the power of good company, and the belief that it’s never too late to pursue one’s dreams.

In 2020, after two decades in corporate banking, Chef Jason David left corporate to pursue his passion for cooking. Food had long been his way of connecting with people, of slowing down and bringing others together. That pull led him to the International Culinary School in Manhattan, where he graduated at the top of his class.

It was there that the idea for E.L.K. began to take shape. Jason had always admired his mother and aunt’s cooking—simple ingredients prepared with care that became extraordinary, filling the table with comforting homemade meals for the family. Around that table, he saw the relief that came with a good meal, the laughter and closeness that followed, and the quiet power of food to provide respite after a long day’s work.

Five years later, that idea has found its home in downtown Monroe, North Carolina.

For Pamela and Jason, E.L.K. is about more than serving food—it’s about creating a space where people can slow down, connect, and enjoy the kind of moments that matter most. A place where laughter fills the room, conversations flow, and every meal leaves you feeling full—both from the food and the moments shared.