Jonathan Kemeny

Instructor: Lab Cookery

Raised in the GTA and educated at the Stratford Chefs School (Class of 2011), Jonathan Kemeny’s life was changed when SCS Guest Chef in Residence Riccardo Camanini granted him the opportunity to spend a summer cooking at his Michelin-starred lakeside restaurant in Italy.

“Once that door was opened I was hooked” recalls Jonathan when reminiscing about those first months watching a truly dedicated kitchen team work tirelessly at perfecting the dining experience. It was those first weeks at Villa Fiordaliso that he learned the importance and impact of mentorship and how it felt to watch a truly brilliant chef carry himself and run a kitchen team. This search for mentorship and desire to continue learning new skills brought Jonathan to some of the best restaurants in Paris, New York, California and Toronto.

Over the last 12 years he has also worked tirelessly at techniques in and out of the restaurant kitchen including cheese-making, pastry, butchery, charcuterie and bread baking. Still on the path of knowledge, Jonathan remains a student and is always looking for a new challenge, which is why 10 years after graduating from the Stratford Chefs School himself, he is delighted and grateful to have the opportunity to work with and mentor this year’s Level 2 students.

Photo: Terry Manzo