Jonathan Waxman

Jonathan Waxman is an American chef and a pioneer of California cuisine. Born in 1950 near Berkeley, California, Waxman initially pursued a career in music, playing in bands before studying at La Varenne cooking school in France. In 1979, he opened Michael's Restaurant in Santa Monica, California, with restaurateur Michael McCarty, where his innovative cuisine gained nationwide recognition. Five years later, Waxman opened Jams Restaurant in New York City, earning him the title of 'elder statesman of the new California cooking.' Waxman's fusion of French techniques and local ingredients revolutionized the culinary scene, and he remains a celebrated figure in the world of gastronomy.