Jonathan Waxman is an American chef who was one of the pioneers of California cuisine and is credited with being the first to bring its style, fusing French cooking techniques with the freshest local ingredients, to New York.
"[3] Waxman eventually gave up his career as a trombonist to study at La Varenne cooking school in France.
[6] 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.
[14] According to New York Magazine, Barbuto's food is "rustic Italian," and the mood is "casually hip.
[16] In 2018, Waxman served as a guest judge on season nine of MasterChef, and was introduced as the mentor of Aarón Sanchez.