Our Chefs - Cohn's Top Chefs in San Diego

Our Celebrated Chefs

Deborah Scott

Executive Chef / Partner

Restaurants:

• Coasterra
• Vintana wine + dine
• Island Prime / C Level
• Indigo Grill

The ability to execute her visions has been recognized by locals and peers year after year in the form of numerous awards from local voters and peers.

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James Stephenson

Executive Chef/Operations Manager

Restaurants:

• BO-beau kitchen + roof tap
• Gaslamp Strip Club

James became a self-taught chef who fine-tuned his skills and mastered different techniques by moving around the United States gaining experience.

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Daniel Diaz

Executive Chef

Restaurant:

• Corvette Diner

Daniel is a self-taught chef who truly enjoys “leading the team, making the kitchen run smoothly, and knowing the guests are enjoying their meals.”

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Jonathan Hale

Executive Chef

Restaurant:

• The Prado at Balboa Park

Jonathan’s experience and unique style have quickly distinguished him as a leader and an innovator for the Cohn Restaurant Group.

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Tyler Shipton

Executive Chef

Restaurant:

• BO-beau kitchen + garden

Tyler Shipton's first experience working with food was on the small farm where he grew up in southeastern Minnesota. After graduating high school Shipton initially pursued a degree in Art, but it wasn’t long before he returned to his roots.

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Steve Zurkey

Executive Chef

Restaurant:

• 333 Pacific

Steve's passion for the culinary arts grew from following his grandmother around the kitchen helping her prepare dishes and giving suggestions on what to cook.

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Ken Irvine

Executive Chef

Restaurant:

• SEA180° Coastal Tavern

As the principal of Irvine Hospitality Group. Ken Irvine has gathered more than 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

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Tim Eylens

Executive Chef

Restaurants:

• Del's Hideout
• Coaster Saloon

Having spent his childhood in his parents’ diner, Indiana native Chef Tim Eylens has always felt a connection to the restaurant industry and credits his nontraditional upbringing as the key driver to his 20-year culinary career.

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Benny Tayco

Executive Chef

Restaurant:

• BO-beau kitchen + roof tap

Chef Benny began his culinary schooling at Le Cordon Bleu in Portland, Oregon, where he developed his technique and discipline for the craft.

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Julio Esquivel

Executive Chef

Restaurant:

• Draft Republic - Carlsbad

Since childhood, Executive Chef Julio Esquivel of Draft Republic always dreamt of becoming a chef. Little did he know that growing up in his grandmother’s small restaurant would lead him to a longstanding career in the culinary arts.

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Jennifer Stainrook

Executive Chef

Restaurant:

• Draft Republic - La Jolla

With over 17 years of culinary experience, Executive Chef Jennifer Stainrook leads Cohn Restaurant Group’s Draft Republic La Jolla. Her talent, dedication and creative vision have propelled her career forward on both coasts, from her hometown of Buffalo, New York to Southern California.

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Martin Juarez

Restaurant:

• BO-beau kitchen + caché

Native San Diegan Martin Juarez never sought to pursue a culinary career, however his passion for the industry couldn’t be denied once he found himself in the kitchen.

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John Medall

Executive Chef

Restaurant:

• SEA180° Coastal Tavern

As a small boy, John Medall spent hours cooking in the kitchen with his mother, unaware of the impact it would have on his future career. This time in the kitchen fostered a passion for cooking and a deep respect and appreciation for sourcing fresh ingredients.

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Dave Anderson

Heart of the House Operations Manager

Chef David Anderson's future in the food industry was pre-destined. Growing up with an Italian mother, a brother, and two grandfathers in the food industry, he was surrounded.

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