Jonathan, (chefjono) started cooking in Toronto's expensive Italian restaurants in 1979.
He has been an executive chef at Carlevales, Fentons, the Senator, Centro, La Raclette, Sperlings, the Left Bank, Cibo and Prego.
In the 90's he was a caterer for the Ford/Saleen race car team cooking at all the tracks in North America and he was a private chef in Atlanta, cooking for clients year round and during their vacations in France and Italy.
He is a co-founder of Shasha Bread Co. which makes sourdough bread and organic ginger snaps.
Currently he is a fine foods manufacturer, an educator and still caters doing interative teaching events. Many of these are “interactive” elegant dinner parties.
As well over 30 classes have been taught at the LCBO, and now at the newly opened Longos Loft Cooking Series.
On stage appearances at the Toronto Home Show the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo and others.
He has now launched a gourmet salad dressing line, featuring a new 'Pomegranate Balsamic' dressing.
Passionate Chef
Having many years of experience in Toronto's expensive restaurants ending in "O", such as Centro, Cibo and Prego, and having worked as a catering chef and personal chef throughout the '90s, I am now at the position, that when creating a menu, I have to ask myself, "Why?".
As in Why and Who do you want to impress and nurture?
Meals can be simple and sustaining, like a backyard barbeque or elaborate and entertaining, like what is served in top restaurants. It all comes down to what you and your guests are craving. I like to supply an intriguing and satisfying meal, and provide a fun and challenging experience at the same time.
Advocate
Ask me about the history of bread and why it is the basis of civilization.
Go ahead I dare you. I also am railing on the subject of "Why your supermarket won't make you Fresh Bread anymore", and the fact that more than 90 additives are allowed in bread products and yet are never printed on the ingredient label!
Did you know that human hair is used as a dough conditioner?
- It's called L-Cysteine, Google it and see.
Or that bleach is the number one additive in all food?
- It makes bread fluffy and white and keeps your salad mix fresh.
