My culinary repertoire flourished during an internship under Chef Simon Lynn at Rainwaters on Kettner as Chef de Partie, where I developed and refined my culinary techniques. I proceeded to a fine dining restaurant in Escondido, California where I became Head Chef at the age of 21 continuing to hone in my techniques and feel for local ingredients, as well as developing my management training.

From there, I became the Executive Chef at The Crossings @ Carlsbad. It was there where I extended my skills to cook for large groups of people, meet high profile clients, and cater to the golf community. After spending 3 years there, I moved on to be the Executive Sous Chef at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, CA. There, I was exposed to the creative expressions of Chef James Montejano, who worked for Michelin- starred chef Michael Mina. I learned a great deal about the use of Modern Californian ingredients and techniques. I continued to Work for Chef Montejano for the next 5 years, mastering the technique of modern American cooking and caring for local ingredients.

For me, cooking is...

my relaxation. Cooking in the kitchen makes me feel at peace.

I learned to cook at...

various culinary establishments in the Southern California region.

A cooking secret...

attention to creativity and making food look exciting.

My menus

Family Style Service

STARTER

All inclusive

Cheese & Charcuterie board- local honey, prosciutto de parma, cornichons, baguette

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Grilled Romaine Salad- cotija cheese, smoked almond, cilantro jalapeno dressing

Traditional Caesar Salad- brown butter crostini, reggiano, little gem lettuce

Watermelon Cucumber Salad- red onion, mint, basil, feta cheese, lemon vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Sous Vide Chicken- truffle chicken jus, roasted broccolini, yukon mashed potatoes

Sous Vide Prime Steak- red wine reduction, bacon roasted potatoes, herb roasted asparagus

Truffle Pasta- regianno, truffle cream sauce, honey roasted carrots, tomato garlic chard

Truffle Honey Glazed Salmon- pork belly fried rice, snap peas with mint

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Creme Brulee Cheesecake- graham cracker crust, berries

Sticky Toffee Cake- date puree, vanilla ice cream

Lemon Olive Oil Cake- vanilla ice cream

Beeramisu- fresh berries

Boujee Brunch

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Cheese & Charcuterie board- local honey, prosciutto de parma, cornichons, baguette

Smoked Salmon Platter- bagels, cream cheese, capers, onion, tomato, lemon

Avocado Toast- everything seasoning, tomato, radish, cucumber

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 3 dishes

Butternut Squash Wellington- green romesco sauce

Truffle Honey Glazed Salmon- pork belly fried rice, snap peas

Brisket Benedict- sous vide farm eggs, english muffin, arugula, smoked chili hollandaise, Franklins bbq sauce

Carnitas Sweet Potato Hash- kale, sweet peppers, cotija cheese, poached eggs

Crème Brulee French Toast- drunken strawberries | bourbon orange maple syrup

DESSERT

All inclusive

The Modern

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Cheese & Charcuterie board- local honey, prosciutto de parma, cornichons, baguette

Shrimp Cocktail Platter- lemon, spicy cocktail sauce

Baked Brie Platter- crostini, local honey, raspberry jam

Beef Cheek Sliders- hawaiian roll, pickled onion, bbq sauce

Mushroom and Butternut Bruschetta- goat cheese, balsamic reduction

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Red Fish Ceviche- avocado, tangerine, radish, cilantro, lime dressing

Strawberry Hibiscus Scallop Crudo- basil, red onion, serrano, mint

Grilled Romaine Salad- cotija cheese, smoked almond, cilantro jalapeno dressing

Traditional Caesar Salad- brown butter crostini, reggiano, little gem lettuce

Heirloom Tomato Soup- parmesan toast, basil oil

Butternut Squash Soup- brown butter cream, mushroom

Lemon Orzo Salad- basil, arugula, garlic lemon vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Blackened Red Fish- curry sauce, thai salad, tangerine

Cowboy Steak- caramelized onion, smoked blue cheese, local tomato

Charred Pork Tomahawk- apple curry glaze, potato puree

Sous Vide N.Y. Strip Steak- roasted asparagus, pee wee potatoes, demi glaze

Black Garlic Short Ribs- fingerling potato, carrot, creamy polenta

Truffle Honey Glazed Salmon- pork belly fried rice, snap peas

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin- apple reduction, fennel orange marmalade

Artichoke Stuffed Pork Loin- pistachio gremolata, parsnip puree

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Dolce Miso Brownie- espresso ice cream

Creme Brulee Cheesecake- graham cracker crust, berries

Lemon Olive Oil Cake- vanilla ice cream

Beeramisu- fresh berries

Sticky Toffee Cake- date puree, vanilla ice cream

Maple Butternut Panna Cotta- candied butternut squash

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Chef Justin's reviews

4.89

•

12 services

Chef Justin was amazing! Professional, personable, engaging, respectful and uber talented. Just the smell of the kitchen during prep and cooking was beyond description and the food was soooo good! He prepared the dishes exactly in proportion to the gathering size and eating pace that we had discussed. The food was hot, fresh, and tasted amazing. The salad was cold, fresh and tasty. We had selections from Steak Rossini to Chicken Marsala and everyone just couldn't stop eating. Chef Justin himself was fun, enjoyed conversation and was the perfect compliment to a great wedding and family gathering. Really could not have asked for more than Chef Justin provided. I would highly, highly recommend him to anyone wanting a special event to be more memorable or just have a truly amazing intimate dinner. We'll be using him again! Thank you again for making our wedding a truly signature event. - Michael & Amber

Justin did a great job. Cooked a great steak dinner for 12 guys adjusting for 1 vegetarian. He was very flexible in menu requests and even what was going to be available for cooking and serving ware. We were in an Airbnb so didn't know the exact amount of plates, utensils or what type of cooking tools were available until last minute. Overall it was a great experience, that was better than what we could have hoped for going to a nice restaurant with a group that size. He left the kitchen cleaner than when he got there and even boxed the leftovers up conveniently for us. We would definitely recommend him and would use the service again if we were in the area.

What a truly AWESOME experience!! We can't say enough good things about Chef Justin! We used this incredible chef to prepare a private dinner/dessert for my birthday celebration for a party of 5. Everything was superb! Justin was kind, detailed, and patient. Thanks again, Chef Justin!!