Known the world over for having made an indelible mark on the culinary world with his exquisite personal cuisine, Chef J. Joho humbly entered the profession as a 6-year-old, peeling vegetables in his aunt’s restaurant kitchen in Alsace, France. His formal training began as a 13-year-old apprentice for Paul Haeberlin of the acclaimed L’Auberge de L’Ill, and continued in kitchens in France, Italy and Switzerland. By the age of 23, Joho was the sous chef at a Michelin three-star restaurant where he commanded a 35-person staff. It was while he was studying at the Hotel Restaurant School in Strasbourg that Joho immersed himself in the hotel and restaurant business, as well as the arts of pastry, cheese and wine.
Joho’s rise to international success began on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange with Everest, which is now one of the world’s premier dining rooms. Today, his establishments across the country in Chicago (Everest, Studio Paris), Boston (Brasserie JO) and Las Vegas (Eiffel Tower Restaurant) set standards for dining and win accolades at every turn. Joho is also a partner in several other concepts, including Chicago’s Nacional 27 and M Burger, and was a founding partner of the Corner Bakery concept.
Hugely inspired by the arts, Joho has filled his home and restaurants with the work of many of his friends, including Ivo Soldini, the Swiss sculptor whose bronze statues adorn each of the tables at Everest, Italian sculptor Virginio Ferarri, and painters including John Westmark and Tim Anderson. Joho has also authored “The Eiffel Tower Restaurant Cookbook: Capturing the magic of Paris” where he shared 50 of his signature dishes, transporting the magic of Paris into kitchens of gourmet homes across the country.
Recently, Chef Joho and his team at Everest were awarded four stars by Phil Vettel in his re-review in Chicago Tribune. He was also recently named ‘Restaurateur of the Year’ by Gayot.
Restaurants
- Everest, Chicago
- Studio Paris, Chicago
- M Burger, Chicago
- Nacional 27, Chicago
- Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Las Vegas
- Brasserie Jo, Boston
- Co-founder of the Corner Bakery
- Managing Partner, LEYE
Accolades
- Restaurateur of the Year, 2012, Gayot
- Top 10 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S., 2012, Gayot
- James Beard Foundation (JBF) “Who’s Who,” JBF “Best New Restaurant,” JBF “Best American Chef: Midwest”
- Robert Mondavi “Culinary Award of Excellence”
- Bon Appetit’s “Best Chef of the Year”
- Gourmet Magazine’s “Best Restaurant for Business Dining”
- Everest has been named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of America’s most romantic restaurants
- Chicago Magazine’s “Best Restaurant in Chicago”
- Mobil Dining Award, Everest
- JBF nominations for “Best Outstanding Restaurant,” “Outstanding Chef,” “Outstanding Service”
- Everest consistently rated 4 stars from Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Magazine
- Everest’s wine list has been credited as the “country’s best selection of Alsace wine” by USA Today, The New York Times and Saveur
- Five-Diamond AAA rating, Everest
- Gayot’s Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
Television Appearances
- BRAVO’S Top Chef
- TBS’s Dinner & A Movie
- PBS, CNN
- WXYZ, Detroit
- Chicago: ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, WGN
- CPTV, Las Vegas
International Press
- l’Ame & I’Esprit
- Les Saisons d’Alsace
- Le Monde, France
- Business Travel, China
- International Herald Tribune
- Le Figaro, France
- Elle Magazine International
- Tribune de’ Logne, France
- Gourmet International
- Der Feinschmecker, Germany
Highlighted Praise
- “Everest is not a restaurant to which one simply arrives. One ascends.” – Phil Vettel, Chicago Tribune
- “The jovial Mr. Joho stands astride the culinary heap” – New York Times
- “Best Alsace wine list in the hemisphere” – Johnny Apple, New York Times
- “A brilliant meal from a great chef who is at the top of his game” – Robert M. Parker Jr.
- “Four stars – spectacular in every way”– Chicago Sun-Times
Member of
- Les Grande Table Du Monde Traditions & Qualité
- Relais & Chateaux/Relais Gourmand
- Maitre Cuisiniers de France
- Academie Culinaire