Meet Chef Jonathan Gonzalez | Chef, owner of James Madison LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chef Jonathan Gonzalez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chef Jonathan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The culinary and hospitality industry, as a whole, is hard work! It takes dedication and sacrifice. Weekends and holidays, say goodbye to. While other people are enjoying their time with family, on vacation or any special occasion, you’re there to serve them a memorable experience. Not to mention the stresses and pressure of perfection or just having to deal with other peoples’ shit! Why did I pursue this?simply put, cause I fucking LOVE it.!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Nothing worth having is easy. Ive been through the tallest of the weeds. Luckily I’ve worked with some great chefs and teams that have helped me through the thick of it. The cuts and burns, the stresses of the life are well worth the accolades. There is nothing like suffering through a busy night, stress piled high, sweat pouring down, to only be greeted by the most grateful of guests, applauding your efforts to make their night so memorable.

I’ve learned so much, but for me, the most important aspect of the culinary industry has been the hospitality of it. You have to have the deepest of passions to make it here and it will show in all your work.

I want James Madison catering to be a name in hospitality. I want our service to be extra ordinary, to be… unreasonable!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hmm, I actually don’t go out much honestly, I think I’m more of an outdoorsman. But i do have a few must see places i would take someone; for one, a Wine tasting day in Temecula, some personal favorites; I am a member at Danza del sol winery, have a friend at Leoness cellars, then off to Somerset vineyards for a great crowd, music and food truck scene, all with a great tasting variety of wines. I’d try to make it to Bolero before their kitchen closes for some delicious tapas.

Since most of my friends and family are from the east coast, a beach trip is mandatory. I love going to Laguna beach to see the tide pools and sea life that come ashore and most of all, a sunset! Nothing like a west coast sunset. Afterwards, There’s this little Italian Greek restaurant just around the corner I Love to eat at, Rumari, it has great tasting traditional food and the wine list is perfectly paired.

Maybe a night out for drinks at Wolfskill and dinner at the Salted pig. Something low key is more my speed.
My all time favorite way to host people who visit, is with a kick ass BBQ in the backyard, plenty of beer and wine to go around with all my west coast family and friends. There’s no other way in my opinion, to make someone feel welcome than with some hospitality.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This one is tough… I want to shout out everyone in this industry who knows what it takes to make it this far, so far, And those who are going through it, keep pushing.! It’s not all for nothing if you have the will and determination. Special shout outs to my family back home in New York for putting up with all of my concoctions growing up. They let me experiment on them with my cooking.
My first chefs John and Dom who introduced me to the kitchen life and how bad ass it is, Abused me as a dish washer, and taught me about camaraderie.
My culinary school chefs who taught me, mise en place, cleanliness and organization are key to making it in any kitchen.
All of the chefs and comrades in between, from kitchen to kitchen, who have challenged me to be better, more creative, and to keep pushing no matter how deep the weeds get.!
Most of all, my wife and kids who are my most motivating factor, this is definitely for you.! (Enter heart hands here)

Website: Www.jamesmadisoncatering.com

Instagram: @jamemadisoncatering

Facebook: @Jamesmadisoncatering

Yelp: James madison catering