Jonathan Jones, Américas
With 20 years of experience and a resume that boasts accomplishments at restaurants throughout the Houston area, Jonathan Jones is a familiar name among food- and wine-savvy Houstonians. In 2002 Jones was nominated Houston's "Best Up-and-Coming Chef." Since opening Max's Wine Dive in December 2006, Jones has gained attention and accolades from both local and national media for his culinary talents. Recently, My Table magazine named Max's Wine Dive as one of "2006's Best New Restaurants," while the Houston Chronicle calls Jones the "Chef to Watch in 2007."
A native of La Porte, Texas, Jones gained a great appreciation for good food at a very young age. He is a stepson of a European cook, grandson of a butcher and was heavily influenced by neighbors who provided him with a great appreciation of Mexican food and culture. "I am certain my passion for diversity in cuisines and cultures would not have been as keenly developed without my early exposure to European and Latin influences," says Jones.
After launching his culinary career as a dishwasher and pizza prep cook, Jones enrolled at the Art Institute of Houston to pursue a degree in culinary arts. Upon graduating, he landed the position of sous chef at the prestigious Lakewood Yacht Club, later taking a six-week sabbatical to study cuisine and culture throughout Asia and, in the fall of 2002, launching Café Chiasso, an upscale Northern Italian restaurant. Café Chiasso, which opened to rave reviews, provided Jones the platform in which he was nominated Houston's "Best Up-and-Coming Chef."
Today Jones may very well be one of Houston's most fluent chefs in terms of multicultural cuisines. In addition to Lakewood Yacht Club and Café Chiasso, Jones has worked in the kitchens of such diverse restaurants as Chez Nous (French), Ouisie's Table (Southern), eatZi's (European market), Aries (New American), Riviera Grill (French Italian) and Max's Wine Dive. Though he enjoys traveling and studying foods from around the globe, Jones says "Houston is still my favorite food mecca, because it has all."
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