Where Food Tells a Story
With only 28 seats in an intimate space that exudes warm, creative energy, crEATe @ 48 on York Street feels more like an invitation than a reservation. Diners settle in as if they’ve been welcomed to a friend’s home. That friend just happens to be Jason Suski, a highly skilled chef who delights in telling stories through food, and his wife and business partner, Nicole. Since opening, crEATe has quickly become one of Gettysburg’s most sought-after dining experiences, thanks to imaginative dishes, hyperlocal sourcing and warm hospitality.
For the Suskis, crEATe is an extension of their shared passion for food and storytelling. Jason brings decades of culinary experience from his years in Charleston, South Carolina, where he cooked in hotels, led banquet kitchens and prepared meals for high-profile clients. Nicole brings warmth, intuition and an eye for detail that make guests feel at home. Together, they have shaped a restaurant guided by creativity, attentiveness and a deep respect for the region’s agricultural community.
Jason’s culinary story began in Buffalo, New York, where he grew up watching his father juggle a catering business, a teaching career at a culinary vocational school and service in the U.S. Army National Guard.
At 14, Jason started accompanying his dad to weekend jobs, washing dishes and peeling potatoes. His father didn’t believe in shortcuts; Jason learned discipline before he ever earned a paycheck. “That’s where I developed my work ethic and found my passion for culinary arts,” he says.
After graduating from Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, Jason stayed in the Low Country for eight years, immersing himself in a region whose flavors still influence his cooking. Charleston is also where he met Nicole in 2007, setting the stage for the partnership that fuels crEATe today.
Partnership and personal connection are especially evident in crEATe’s completely seasonal approach. “When we say we offer seasonal and local cuisine, we really mean it,” Jason shares. “We often don’t finalize our monthly menu until a few hours before that first dinner service—the day of.” This allows the freshness of local ingredients to drive the menu. In March and April, guests can expect dishes centered on peak seasonal produce like carrots and peas.
The Suskis take their sourcing philosophy seriously. “Living and operating in Adams County, we believe that using local vendors not only helps these valuable businesses thrive but also gives you the freshest and highest-quality products available,” Nicole says. Whenever possible, ingredients are sourced from regional partners—many just a few miles down the road. crEATe’s current collaborators include CRUMB Sourdough Bakery, The Farmstead Butcher, Charming Meadow Mushrooms, Twin Springs Fruit Farm, Three Springs Fruit Farm, Wayne Nell & Sons Meats, Apple Valley Creamery and Weikert’s Egg Farm.
crEATe is also expanding its community partnerships through special events and new programming. This year, they’re launching monthly “pouring partners” featuring local wineries, breweries and cideries with exposition permits that allow crEATe to serve their products onsite during limited times. Recent offerings included two beers from Michaux Brewery. Beginning in April, the restaurant will introduce farm-to-fork dinner party experiences—multi-course tasting menus with limited seating and a short meet-and-greet with the featured local vendor. “It’s a chance for guests to learn more about the businesses that make our food possible,” Nicole says.
The Suskis’ commitment to community extends to the space itself. Though crEATe is located in a historic Civil War-era building technically exempt from ADA requirements, Jason and Nicole were determined to make it fully ADA compliant. “We want everyone to feel welcome here,” Nicole emphasizes. The restaurant is BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle), which helps keep the overall cost of dining more accessible, and all art on the walls is created by local artists. These pieces are sold without commission—all proceeds go directly to the artists—an unusual practice that further highlights Jason and Nicole’s commitment to fostering community and celebrating creativity.
crEATe’s hours reflect the size and thoughtful pace of the operation, and these hours will adjust as the business grows. As of January, the restaurant is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m., with Sunday and Monday reserved for rest and prep. Given the small dining room, “reservations are always highly recommended,” Nicole says.
crEATe @ 48 is more than a restaurant; it is a celebration of Adams County’s agricultural heritage, creative talent and appetite for thoughtfully crafted food. Jason and Nicole have built something that feels both contemporary and rooted, polished yet personal. Their vision is simple: continue exploring inventive flavors, strengthening relationships with local producers and offering a dining experience where guests feel seen, welcomed and nourished.
At crEATe, every dish has a story—and every story begins close to home.
crEATe @ 48
48 York St., Gettysburg
223-255-8009