Chef Jonathon Sawyer
Follow him: @chefsawyer
Chef Jonathon Sawyer
Get ready to be swept away by the incredible journey of Jonathon Sawyer, a Chicago-born chef whose love for food was ignited by an old-world German chef. As a young man, Sawyer found himself trapped in an engineering program, staring at an auto-cad program every day. His only escape was cooking at a local restaurant every night, under the watchful eye of a stubborn and surly German chef. One day, the chef, with his thick accent, surprised Sawyer with high praise, telling him, "You, you are good at cooking." And just like that, Sawyer's fate was sealed.
Leaving engineering school behind, Sawyer enrolled in culinary school, where he discovered his true love and passion for cooking. But his journey was far from over. He went on to work for renowned Chef Charlie Palmer in New York City before opening his own restaurants, Parea in NYC and Lolita in Ohio, for Michael Symon.
But it was back home in Cleveland, where Sawyer built his small restaurant empire, including The Greenhouse Tavern, Noodlecat, and Trentina. He even ventured into the stadium business and started a probiotic vinegar business. Sawyer's talent did not go unnoticed, and in 2010 he won the Food & Wine "Best New Chef" award, followed by the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2015.
In 2020, Sawyer opened Adorn Bar & Restaurant in Chicago, which was a hit and earned a spot in the prestigious 2021 Michelin Guidebook. His latest venture, Kindling, located in the Willis Tower and a dream live-fire restaurant in partnership with The 50/Fifty Group, has been hailed as one of the best restaurants of 2023.
But that's not all! Sawyer has also made a name for himself on television. He is currently a celebrity chef on Food Network's highest-rated show, Tournament of Champions, and has appeared on several other shows, including the premier episode of Bobby Flay's Triple Threat, The Best Thing I Ever Ate, and Chopped. He has also authored two cookbooks: the best-selling children's cookbook, Noodlekids Cookbook, and House of Vinegar, a cult classic among home cooks.
When he's not busy whipping up culinary masterpieces, Chef Sawyer can be found exploring the great outdoors, hiking and foraging with his furry companions by his side. He also enjoys quality time with his family, engaging in friendly board game competitions with his wife, Amelia, and their children, Catcher and Louisiana.
Beyond his love for cooking, Sawyer is also dedicated to giving back to his community, regularly working with various charities to donate his time and culinary expertise where needed. With a heart as big as his passion for food, Chef Sawyer is truly a man of many talents and interests.