Jim Weaver (chef) facts for kids

Jim Weaver is a talented chef and author. He is also a leader in the Slow Food movement in New Jersey. This movement is all about enjoying good, clean, and fair food.

Weaver used to own an Italian restaurant called Tre Piani. It was located in Plainsboro, New Jersey. In 2004, he represented New Jersey at a big cooking competition. It was called the Great American Seafood Cook-off in New Orleans, Louisiana. Later, he wrote his first book, Locavore Adventures: One Chef's Slow Food Journey. This book shares his experiences using fresh, local ingredients in his cooking.

Jim's Early Life and Learning

Jim Weaver was born in New Vernon. This is a small community in Harding Township, New Jersey. His family lived in a house his father built in a wooded area.

In 1981, Jim graduated from Morristown-Beard School in Morristown, New Jersey. He then went to New Hampshire College. This school is now called Southern New Hampshire University. He earned his bachelor's degree there in 1985.

Jim first wanted to study architecture, like his father. But after a few classes, he changed his mind. He decided to study hotel and restaurant management instead.

In 1991, Jim took a trip to Italy. This trip helped him learn many new cooking skills. He learned how to cook seafood from a chef at La Guzzina in Milan. While in Rome, he practiced making multi-course meals with friends. They bought fresh ingredients from the market at Campo de' Fiori.

Becoming a Chef

Jim Weaver worked as the main chef at Panico's in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He was there from 1989 to 1998. After that, he opened his own restaurant, Tre Piani. He quickly became one of the best chefs in the area.

At Panico's, Jim started trying out a new way of cooking Italian food. He focused on using fresh ingredients grown nearby. This style of cooking later became very important at Tre Piani.

While running his restaurant, Jim also helped fight childhood hunger. He held special "Taste of the Nation" events at Tre Piani. These events raised money for Share Our Strength. This is a group that works to reduce hunger in children. In 2003, Share Our Strength gave Jim their Chef of the Year Award.

The Slow Food Movement

In 1999, Jim Weaver started Slow Food Central New Jersey. This was the sixth chapter of Slow Food International in the U.S. In August of that year, he held an event called Har-Fest at Tre Piani.

Jim invited chefs from local New Jersey restaurants to the event. They offered free tastes of food made with local, seasonal ingredients. About 500 people came to Har-Fest. It included farmers who grew tomatoes, made cheese, kept bees, and grew cranberries. This event helped convince Slow Food International to support the growth of Slow Food USA. Slow Food USA officially started in 2000.