Jonathan Newman Named Executive Chef At Frankfort's Jimmy O's

FRANKFORT, IL — Jonathan Newman, a classically trained chef who has a long track record of developing restaurant concepts in several metropolitan areas, has been named the new executive chef at Jimmy O’s Bar and Grille in Frankfort, the restaurant announced Thursday.

Newman, a native of Davenport, Iowa, has become recognized for his extraordinary eclectic culinary flair, which infuses the tastes of several different cultures. He received his culinary training from Tokyo Culinary and Confectionary Arts Academy in Japan as well as the Congusto School of Cooking and Pastry in Milano, Italy.

After opening his first restaurant in his hometown by the age of 18 after working for two years at a farm to table concept, Newman began to receive acclaim for his talents. He was featured by many local media outlets in Davenport before he was featured in Bon Appetite magazine.

Newman has since introduced restaurant concepts in Chicago, New York, California, and Florida before he became a corporate chef with the Levy Restaurant Corporation. Newman designed and launched multi-million dollar kitchens and has consulted for a host of popular franchises such as Ruth’s Chris.

He now will bring his abilities to Jimmy O’s, which opened in 2004 and which features traditional Italian dishes, American favorites and other culinary surprises. The family-owned restaurant is located at 20805 S. LaGrange Rd.

“It was the vision and passion of the owners that led me to my decision to take on the role of executive chef at (Jimmy O’s),” Newman said in a news release. “They give me complete creative freedom to explore concepts as we launch a brand new menu.”