Called a "'culinary comet"' by the New York Times, Jonathan Waxman trained in France, then returned to the United States as chef at Chez Panisse and Michael's in California. In 1984, he brought California to the east coast, with the opening of the celebrated Jams restaurant. He has been the chef-owner of various other restaurants since then, including Buds, Hulot's, and Washington Park, all in New York City, Jams London, Table 29 in Napa, and now Barbuto. He resides in New York City, New York. A Great American Cook is his first cookbook.