Jonathan Waxman
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Waxman is an American chef who was one of the pioneers of California cuisine
and is credited with being the first to bring its style, fusing French cooking techniques with the freshest local ingredients, to New York.
Born in 1950, Waxman grew up near Berkeley, California
. After graduating from the University of Nevada at Reno, he found work playing in bands at casinos and later with a rock band named "Lynx".
Waxman eventually gave up his career as a trombonist to study at La Varenne cooking school in France. He then became chef at the birthplace of California cuisine, Chez Panisse
, following the departure of Jeremiah Tower
. In 1979, he and chef-entrepreneur Michael McCarty opened Michael's Restaurant in an old mansion near the Santa Monica beach; the groundbreaking cuisine attracted diners from all over America. Five years later, he opened Jams Restaurant on East 79th Street in New York; the chance to dine with what New York Magazine called "an elder statesman of the new California cooking" made Jams the most sought after dining sensation of the season. His work at Jams made him a celebrity chef
; "whoever said chefs in the 80's were like rock-and-roll stars", said one reviewer, "had Jonathan in mind." Among other restaurants created by Waxman are Bud's, Hulot's, Jams of London and Table 29. Esquire magazine put him on its list of most influential Americans.
Waxman is currently the chef-owner of Barbuto in New York City's West Village. a. (West County Grill closed in August 2008) According to New York Magazine, Barbuto's food is "rustic Italian," and the mood is "casually hip." His new cookbook, Italian, My Way published by Simon & Schuster, features recipes that are "Italian flavored by unmistakably Californian elements".
. He was eliminated in the penultimate episode, placing fourth out of twenty-two competitors. James Oseland
, one of the main judges for season two of Top Chef: Masters, has been quoted saying, "I think he is one of the country’s greatest chefs."
California Cuisine
California cuisine is a style of cuisine marked by an interest in fusion cuisine and in the use of freshly prepared local ingredients.The food is typically prepared with strong attention to presentation...
and is credited with being the first to bring its style, fusing French cooking techniques with the freshest local ingredients, to New York.
Born in 1950, Waxman grew up near Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
. After graduating from the University of Nevada at Reno, he found work playing in bands at casinos and later with a rock band named "Lynx".
Waxman eventually gave up his career as a trombonist to study at La Varenne cooking school in France. He then became chef at the birthplace of California cuisine, Chez Panisse
Chez Panisse
Chez Panisse is a Berkeley, California restaurant known for using local, organic foods and credited as the inspiration for the style of cooking known as California cuisine. Well-known restauranteur, author, and food activist Alice Waters co-founded Chez Panisse in 1971 with film producer Paul...
, following the departure of Jeremiah Tower
Jeremiah Tower
Jeremiah Tower is an American celebrity chef who, along with Wolfgang Puck, Alice Waters, and Jonathan Waxman, is generally credited with developing the culinary style known as California cuisine.-Biography:...
. In 1979, he and chef-entrepreneur Michael McCarty opened Michael's Restaurant in an old mansion near the Santa Monica beach; the groundbreaking cuisine attracted diners from all over America. Five years later, he opened Jams Restaurant on East 79th Street in New York; the chance to dine with what New York Magazine called "an elder statesman of the new California cooking" made Jams the most sought after dining sensation of the season. His work at Jams made him a celebrity chef
Celebrity chef
A celebrity chef is a kitchen chef who has become famous and well known. Today celebrity chefs often become celebrities by presenting cookery advice and demonstrations via mass media, especially television. Historically, celebrity chefs have included Antoine Carême and Martino da Como.-External...
; "whoever said chefs in the 80's were like rock-and-roll stars", said one reviewer, "had Jonathan in mind." Among other restaurants created by Waxman are Bud's, Hulot's, Jams of London and Table 29. Esquire magazine put him on its list of most influential Americans.
Waxman is currently the chef-owner of Barbuto in New York City's West Village. a. (West County Grill closed in August 2008) According to New York Magazine, Barbuto's food is "rustic Italian," and the mood is "casually hip." His new cookbook, Italian, My Way published by Simon & Schuster, features recipes that are "Italian flavored by unmistakably Californian elements".
Top Chef: Masters
In 2010, Waxman was a contestant on Bravo's Top Chef: MastersTop Chef: Masters (season 2)
The second season of the American reality competition show Top Chef Masters was announced on October 22, 2009. In addition to the announcement, it was announced that Gail Simmons would be added as a critic. The season premiered on April 7, 2010 with 22 world-renowned chefs competing against each...
. He was eliminated in the penultimate episode, placing fourth out of twenty-two competitors. James Oseland
James Oseland
James Oseland is an American food writer and magazine editor who lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He became the editor-in-chief of Saveur in 2006, after serving as the magazine's executive editor. Before Saveur, Oseland wrote for Food & Wine, Gourmet, and Time Out New York...
, one of the main judges for season two of Top Chef: Masters, has been quoted saying, "I think he is one of the country’s greatest chefs."