Culinary Triumph: Chef Jason Witzl Shares His Journey to ‘Chef of the Fest’ at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
Delve into the story behind the culinary masterpiece that secured Chef Jason Witzl of Jolie Coronoado the prestigious title of 2023 Chef of the Fest, an annual culinary competition at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival Grand Tasting.
Chef Jason shared his experience at the festival and his aspirations for his culinary career. As a newcomer to the vast San Diego restaurant scene, signing up for the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival was an obvious choice, as he says it’s “one of the most well-respected events in the business” that “exceeded expectations.” Through their participation in the festival, Jolie attracted a completely new audience, some of whom have never been to Coronado or haven’t been back in many years.
A new restaurant in its first year of business, Jolie Coronado understands the importance of visibility and feedback from San Diegans. Chef Jason says the feedback from customers is what “the team really feeds off and makes all the hard work worth it.” In time, Jolie hopes to grow in the greater San Diego area and work with many great chefs and diners around.
Keep reading for the full interview with Chef Jason Witzl, the 2023 Chef of the Fest.
Can you share the inspiration behind the winning dish that secured your victory in the competition?
Our Shrimp and Melon salad is a dish I have been making for many years. It’s a dish that has been a staple on any of my menus, whether Jolie Coronado or Ellie’s in Long Beach. It’s an item that embodies the bright and light flavors we fill our menu with all year around. Gently poached shrimp tossed in cucumbers, serrano peppers with puffed quinoa over a bed of whipped crème fraiche sprinkled with fresh herbs. Always finish with lemon, Maldon salt and chives.
What motivated you to take part in the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, and how has this experience contributed to your culinary journey and professional growth?
Opening Jolie was my first venture into the San Diego market. Being a newcomer to the region, it was vital that we created awareness for our restaurant. The SDBWFF is one of the most well-respected events in the business, so it was really an easy decision to sign up. It exceeded my expectations on the day of the event. We’ll be back as long as they have us.
How do you stay innovative and continue to evolve your menu?
A lot of it is 20 years of cooking and experimenting with combinations of different ingredients. The beauty of Jolie is that our menu is consistently rotating with the seasons. While we do have dishes that are on the menu year around, we do add new items every one to two months. I believe it keeps the experience fresh every visit, especially with our “Trust the Chef” program, which is a seven course tasting menu served family style. It’s a great way to experience what we have to offer.
What impact has winning the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival competition had on your restaurant’s visibility and reputation within the culinary community?
It’s been amazing. We’re starting to see customers come in who have either never been to Coronado or haven’t been there in years. The feedback from their experience has been great too! The team really feeds off this and makes all the hard work worth it.
Looking ahead, what culinary goals or aspirations do you have for yourself and your restaurant, and how do you plan to continue pushing the boundaries of your craft?
We really love being in Coronado. The community is amazing and it’s been a great first year. We hope to continue to expand our business there and to continue to grow in the greater San Diego market. There are some amazing chefs but even more amazing diners in San Diego County. I really like our “Trust the Chef” program. It’s not a new idea by any means, but it’s a program that allows the diner to experience items that they wouldn’t normally go for when they see it on the menu. It also takes the pressure off our customers and allows them to enjoy their meal and the company they’re with.
Congratulations to Chef Jason and Jolie Coronado! We are excited to see what the future has in store for them.
