Jon Shook is a Los Angeles Chef and restaurateur known for his bold, ingredient driven modern American cooking. With partner Vinny Dotolo he helped reshape LA dining through inventive small plates and high energy neighborhood restaurants.
Best known for Animal, Son of a Gun, and Jon & Vinny's, Shook blends meat focused dishes, seafood, and Italian comfort cooking. His Joint Venture Restaurant Group projects have earned widespread critical praise and multiple James Beard nominations.
Jon's Formal Culinary Training
Born and raised in Florida, Jon Shook developed an early passion for cooking and attended The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where he met his future business partner, Vinny Dotolo. Their shared training and tastes set the foundation for a lasting collaboration.
After school the pair worked in notable South Florida kitchens, including stints under chefs like Michelle Bernstein and Mark Militello, experiences that sharpened Shook's technique and taste for bold, unfussy flavors. In 2002 he relocated to Los Angeles where further restaurant work refined his vision.
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Jon Shook Restaurants & Businesses
Shook co founded a string of restaurants that range from focused tasting rooms to casual neighborhood spots. Each project emphasizes strong ingredients, confident technique, and an approachable spirit.
- Animal (2008) – A 50 seat restaurant that helped define Shook's reputation. Animal became famous for inventive, meat centric small plates and a no nonsense approach to flavor.
- Son of a Gun (2011) – A seafood forward concept inspired by coastal flavors and seaside shacks, combining comfort and creativity in a lively setting.
- Trois Mec (2013) – A 24 seat collaboration with Chef Ludo Lefebvre offering an intimate French influenced tasting menu. The project earned significant critical acclaim and a Michelin star level of recognition.
- Jon & Vinny's – A casual Italian eatery that showcases pizza, pasta, and comfort dishes. The approachable neighborhood format broadened their audience and became a favorite for locals and visitors.
- Petit Trois – A French bistro concept that translates classic bistro cooking into a compact, everyday dining experience.
- Carmelized Productions – The catering and events arm that preceded and supported their restaurant growth, illustrating their range from pop ups to full scale service.
Together these venues sit under the Joint Venture Restaurant Group banner, a platform the pair use to launch collaborative concepts and partnerships around Los Angeles.
Jon Shook's Other Ventures
Beyond restaurants, Shook has expanded his influence through media, pop ups, collaborations, and community events.
- Collaborations: Projects with fellow Chefs, guest chef nights, and partnership concepts like Trois Mec highlight Shook's collaborative approach.
- Pop Ups and Catering: Early work with Carmelized Productions and frequent pop ups have kept the team nimble and connected to food communities.
- Community Engagement: Shook participates in local food events and charity dinners, supporting the broader Los Angeles food scene and industry colleagues.
Jon Shook Shows
Shook and his partner have appeared across television, streaming, and live events, using media to showcase their cooking style and personalities. Their visibility has helped bring attention to the Los Angeles restaurant scene and to the approachable yet inventive cooking they champion.
- Television and Appearances: Guest segments, festival stages, and occasional TV spots have featured the duo demonstrating recipes, judging competitions, and discussing restaurant life.
- Live Events: Festival programming and chef collaborations have been integral to sharing their work with broader audiences.
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Jon Shook Awards and Accolades
Shook's restaurants have received consistent critical praise and industry recognition for creativity and execution.
- Michelin Recognition – Trois Mec earned top tier critical praise and is frequently cited among the city's most inventive tasting experiences.
- James Beard Foundation – The team has received multiple James Beard Award nominations, reflecting their impact on American dining.
- Critical Praise – Animal, Jon & Vinny's, Son of a Gun, and Petit Trois have all been lauded in local and national reviews for bold flavors, strong design, and consistent service.
Jon Shook Personal Life
Jon Shook lives and works in Los Angeles. His partnership with Vinny Dotolo is central to his professional life, blending complementary skills and a shared culinary aesthetic.
Shook is married to Actress Shiri Appleby. The couple has two children: a daughter, Natalie Bouader Shook, born March 23, 2013, and a son, Owen Lee Shook, born December 16, 2015.
Balancing family life with the demands of high profile restaurants has shaped how Shook approaches hospitality, emphasizing teams, community, and kitchens that can support work life balance.
Jon Shook Family and Friends
Shook and Vinny Dotolo met at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and developed a partnership that evolved into a long list of shared ventures. Their creative partnership is a hallmark of their success.
Shook's marriage to Shiri Appleby and their family life are often mentioned in profiles as grounding influences amid a busy restaurant career.
The team also maintains relationships across the Chef community in Los Angeles, frequently collaborating with peers and mentoring younger cooks.
Jon Shook Chef Profile: Conclusion
Jon Shook is a defining voice in contemporary Los Angeles cuisine, known for bold, ingredient forward cooking and a willingness to experiment across formats. From the meat centric plates of Animal to the comforting fare at Jon & Vinny's, his work balances creativity with approachability.
Through Joint Venture Restaurant Group, collaborations, and a visible presence in media and events, Shook has helped shape how Angelenos eat and think about neighborhood dining. His influence continues as he and his team open new projects and support the citys vibrant food community.
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