Jonathan Waxman

Last updated
Jonathan Waxman
Born1950 (age 74–75)
Education University of Nevada, Reno
Culinary career
Cooking style
Current restaurant(s)
  • Barbuto
    Jams Restaurant
    Brezza Cucina
    Adele's
    Waxman's
Television show(s)

Jonathan Waxman (born 1950) is an American chef. He is credited with being the one of the first to bring the California cuisine movement to New York, fusing techniques from French cuisine with local ingredients. [1]

Contents

Biography

Born in 1950, Waxman grew up near Berkeley, California. [2] After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, he found work playing in bands at casinos and later with a rock band named "Lynx". [3]

Waxman eventually gave up his career as a trombonist to study at La Varenne cooking school in France. [4] [5] In 1979, he and restaurateur Michael McCarty opened Michael's Restaurant in an old mansion near the Santa Monica beach; the groundbreaking cuisine attracted diners from all over America. [6] 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. [7] 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." [3] Among other restaurants created by Waxman are Bud's, Hulot's, Jams of London, and Table 29. [8] He was named in Esquire magazine's list of most influential Americans. [9]

As of 2025, Waxman is the chef-owner of Barbuto, a casual, rustic Italian restaurant in New York City's West Village; [10] [11] Jams in New York City's Midtown; [12] and Park Tavern restaurant in San Francisco. [13] He has previously opened Brezza Cucina in Atlanta's Ponce City Market, [14] Adele's in Nashville,[ citation needed ] and Waxman's at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. [15] [ better source needed ] According to New York Magazine, Barbuto's food is "rustic Italian," and the mood is "casually hip." His cookbook published by Simon & Schuster was released in 2011. [16] [ better source needed ]

In 2018, Waxman served as a guest judge on season nine of MasterChef , and was introduced as the mentor of Aarón Sanchez. In 2021, he again appeared as a guest judge for the show on season eleven. Waxman has also been an occasional judge on Guy's Grocery Games – including when Rocco DiSpirito has competed from time to time.[ citation needed ]

Top Chef: Masters

In 2010, Waxman was a contestant on Bravo's Top Chef: Masters . He was eliminated in the penultimate episode, placing fourth out of eighteen competitors. [17] James Oseland, one of the main judges for season two of Top Chef: Masters, has been quoted as saying, "I think he is one of the country’s greatest chefs." [18]

Personal life

Waxman lives in Manhattan with his wife Sally and three children. [19]

Notes

  1. ↑ Amy Scattergood (2007-09-19). "Jonathan Waxman shares his wealth". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  2. ↑ Kamp, David United States of Arugula, p. 257
  3. 1 2 Witchel, Alex (17 April 2002). "How a Celebrity Chef of the 80's Got His Stove Back" . The New York Times. p. F-1. Archived from the original on 2021-01-26.
  4. ↑ "Waxman website's bio page". Archived from the original on 2007-12-20. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  5. ↑ Smith, Eating History, p.261
  6. ↑ Whitaker, Great Kitchens, p. 115
  7. ↑ Gael Greene 1984 review of Jams This review also says he is 33 years old, thus establishing his age.
  8. ↑ James Beard Foundation website bio
  9. ↑ "CULINARY DREAM TEAM TO WHIP UP THE 2003 BILTMORE GREAT SOUTH FLORIDA WINE FESTIVAL" (PDF). Biltmore Hotel (Press release). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  10. ↑ Adam Platt review of Barbuto in New York Magazine
  11. ↑ "JONATHAN WAXMAN". JONATHAN WAXMAN. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
  12. ↑ Morabito, Greg (2015-08-21). "Jonathan Waxman's Jams Is Reincarnated in Midtown". Eater NY. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
  13. ↑ Fegan, MacKenzie (January 16, 2025). "A Celebrity Chef's SF Restaurant".
  14. ↑ Fuhrmeister, Chris (2015-10-09). "Jonathan Waxman's Brezza Cucina Opens Tonight at Ponce City Market". Eater Atlanta. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
  15. ↑ "Waxman's in San Francisco".
  16. ↑ Bio of Waxman on BarbutoNYC.com
  17. ↑ Episode 9 on Bravo website
  18. ↑ Top Chef: Masters blog
  19. ↑ Top Chef: Masters biography Archived 2010-04-26 at the Wayback Machine
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