John Besh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
John Besh

Besh in 2012
Born	(1968-05-14) May 14, 1968 (age 57) Meridian, Mississippi, U.S.
Education	Culinary Institute of America
Spouse	Jenifer Berrigan Besh

John Besh (born May 14, 1968) is a well-known American chef, TV personality, and author. He is famous for his work in keeping the special cooking traditions of New Orleans cuisine alive.

About John Besh

Early Life and Family

John Besh was born in Meridian, Mississippi. He grew up in Slidell. He married Jenifer Berrigan Besh in 1991. They have four children together. The Besh family are active members of the Catholic Church. They attend St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Slidell.

Education and Military Service

Before becoming a chef, Besh was a US Marine. He started his culinary training at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). However, his studies were paused because he served in the Gulf War. He later graduated from the CIA in 1992.

Early Career and Awards

In 1999, Food & Wine magazine recognized Besh as one of the "Best New Chefs." This was for his cooking at his restaurant Artesia. In 2006, he won the prestigious James Beard Award for "Best Chef, South." Two years later, in 2008, he received the Food Arts' Silver Spoon Award. This award honored him for helping to bring back the amazing food traditions of New Orleans.

John Besh's Restaurants

John Besh has opened many restaurants that celebrate the unique flavors of Louisiana. These restaurants often use local ingredients.

Active Restaurants

Here are some of the restaurants associated with John Besh that are currently open:

• August – Located in New Orleans' Central Business District. This is his main restaurant. It serves modern French cuisine with a focus on local ingredients.
• Borgne – Found at the Hyatt Regency. This restaurant offers coastal Louisiana dishes. Examples include shrimp toast rissoles and seafood stuffed flounder.
• Domenica – Located in Roosevelt Hotel. It serves Italian food. The name "Domenica" means "Sunday" in Italian.
• Lüke – Also in the New Orleans Central Business District. It blends French, German, and Creole cooking styles.
• Pizza Domenica – A more casual pizza place in Uptown New Orleans. It is a spin-off of the Domenica restaurant.
• Shaya – In New Orleans Uptown. This restaurant serves modern Israeli cuisine.
• Willa Jean – A bakery and restaurant that opened in August 2015. It is located at The Paramount in the South Market District.
• The Caribbean Room, Bayou Bar, Hot Tin, Silverwhistle Cafe – These are all located at the historic Pontchartrain Hotel. They opened in the summer of 2016.
• Eunice – A "Cajun, Creole brasserie" that opened in Houston, Texas, in late 2017.

Past Restaurants

Some restaurants that were once connected to John Besh are now closed or he is no longer involved with them:

• Artesia – This restaurant was located in Abita Springs, Louisiana.
• Besh Steak – A steakhouse at Harrah's New Orleans Casino. Harrah's ended its partnership with the restaurant group in October 2017.
• La Provence – A French restaurant in Lacombe, Louisiana. Besh sold this restaurant in May 2017, and it closed in 2018.
• Lüke – The San Antonio location of this restaurant closed in 2017.
• Johnny Sánchez Baltimore – A Mexican-inspired restaurant co-owned with Aarón Sánchez. It closed in 2017.
• Johnny Sánchez – The New Orleans location of this Mexican-inspired restaurant opened in October 2014. John Besh is no longer involved with this restaurant as of February 2019.

Television Appearances

John Besh has appeared on many television shows. He has been a host, a contestant, and a judge.