Jonathan Waxman (born 1950) is an American chef. He is credited with being one of the first chefs to bring the California cuisine movement to New York, fusing techniques from French cuisine with local ingredients.
Biography
Born in 1950, Waxman grew up near Berkeley, California.Kamp, David United States of Arugula, p. 257 After graduating from the University of Nevada, 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.Smith, Eating History, p.261 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.Whitaker, Great Kitchens, p. 115 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.Gael Greene 1984 review of Jams This review also says he is 33 years old, thus establishing his age. 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.James Beard Foundation website bio He was named in Esquire magazine's list of most influential Americans.
As of 2025, Waxman is the chef-owner of Barbuto, a casual, rustic Italian restaurant in New York City's West Village;Adam Platt review of Barbuto in New York Magazine Jams in New York City's Midtown; and Park Tavern restaurant in San Francisco. He has previously opened Brezza Cucina in Atlanta's Ponce City Market, Adele's in Nashville, and Waxman's at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. 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.Bio of Waxman on BarbutoNYC.com
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.
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.Episode 9 on Bravo website 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."Top Chef: Masters blog
Personal life
Waxman lives in Manhattan with his wife Sally and three children. Top Chef: Masters biography
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