Executive Chef
Justin Perez
Restaurant Consultant | Food & Beverage Director
Catering Coordinator | General Manager
Restaurant Consultant
Food & Beverage Director
Catering Coordinator
General Manager
Welcome to my portfolio
Justin Perez
Justin Perez is a chef and hospitality leader with more than 30 years of hands-on and executive experience in the restaurant, fine catering, and corporate foodservice industries.
A former multi-restaurant owner in the San Francisco Bay Area, he has built and led kitchen and operations teams across a wide spectrum of settings—from fine dining to high-volume event catering, and from daily corporate food programs to luxury private service.
Get to Know Me
Justin’s Bio
Over the years, Justin has earned a reputation for combining strong culinary vision with operational excellence. His work has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation, which invited him to cook three dinners at its New York house, and he’s consistently been tapped by Fortune 500 companies, universities, and major venues for his ability to scale exceptional food experiences to thousands.
Justin’s strengths go beyond the kitchen. He has directed multi-unit operations, managed P&L and staffing across diverse teams, and trained countless cooks & managers in both culinary and leadership best practices. He’s also a natural teacher, having served as a guest chef, speaker, and instructor for organizations like Sur La Table, culinary schools, industry associations, and international food education events.
In every role, Justin brings a combination of creativity, structure, and calm leadership. He’s known for being hands-on when needed, but just as comfortable mentoring others, building systems, and thinking strategically across departments. His culinary style is globally informed, ingredient-driven, and built on a foundation of classic technique with a constant eye toward nutrition, presentation, and innovation.
Professional Work History
Over 30 Years of Culinary Leadership
12 Years+
Feb. 2012 - Dec. 2024
Executive Chef | Owner/Operator
Escoffier Culinary Inc.
Built & operated a $20M catering business and launched multiple brands, including:
- Justin’s – 5-star seasonal fine dining
- The Homestead – upscale bar & grill
- Crafty Beverages – mobile bar service
- Daily Fuel Cafes – 10-15 corporate cafe locations serving 1,400+ guests daily
- O-BQ – innovative BBQ brand
Engineered seasonal menus across five brands, optimizing cost per plate and increasing guest retention by 22%.
Recruitment, training, and performance development for diverse culinary teams.
Led marketing collaborations, community event production, and brand promotions.
Maintained consistent compliance with all health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
13 Years
Jan. 1999 - Feb. 2012
Executive Chef | Owner/Operator
AP Development, LLC
Managed operations for a $10M catering business and three successful restaurants:
- Buca la Pastia – casual Italian
- BUCA – fine dining Italian
- Restaurant O – food & wine pairing concept focused on local vineyards
Transformed costs and streamlined operational procedures through system optimization & vendor management.
Mentored high-performing teams and led company-wide quality assurance efforts.
Spearheaded sustainability programs and expanded business into new markets.
10 Years
Jan. 1989 - Dec. 1999
Additional Roles of Note
Multiple Establishments
Held owner, executive, and management roles with the following companies:
- Fresh Choice Buffet
- Chevy’s Fresh Mex
- Bon Appétit
- World Wraps
- Phenom Foods, LLC
Developed operational foundations and cultivated team leadership abilities in dynamic, high-volume kitchen settings.
Educational Background
May 1995
San Francisco, CA
Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Business Management
California Culinary Academy
- Dean’s List (3.5 GPA)
- AP Business Management courses
- Self-directed learning: Took initiative and planned all employment opportunities to learn different aspects of culinary management, styles, and skills
- Study abroad in Spain, Greece, Italy, the Caribbean Islands, South Pacific Islands, Hong Kong, and China to engage with a variety of chefs to learn more about unique food styles & flavors
September 1992
Cupertino, CA
Associate of Arts in Business MGMT
De Anza College
Chef Justin Brings a Lot to the Table
Excellence Served à la Carte
Core Competencies
& Industry Skillsets
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Culinary Team Leadership & Staff Development
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Menu R&D and Kitchen Operations
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High-Volume Operations & Multi-Unit Oversight
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Simultaneous Business & Location Management
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Cost Control & Budgeting
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Corporate Dining Programs (Tech, Rx, Healthcare)
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Large-Scale Catering & Event Planning
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Customer Experience & Service Excellence
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Inventory & Supply Chain Management
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Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
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Strategic Planning & Business Growth
Career Highlights
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Former owner/operator of five SF Bay Area restaurants
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Catered major events for Amazon, Yelp, Stanford, and the Hoover Institution
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Managed daily food service for 1,200+ staff across hospital and tech campuses
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Instructor, presenter, and guest chef for culinary schools, festivals, and global events
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Built and managed culinary teams for venues ranging from private jets to stadiums
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Selected by James Beard Foundation for three guest dinners in NYC
Career Highlights
-
Former owner/operator of five SF Bay Area restaurants
-
Catered major events for Amazon, Yelp, Stanford, and the Hoover Institution
-
Managed daily food service for 1,200+ staff across hospital and tech campuses
-
Instructor, presenter, and guest chef for culinary schools, festivals, and global events
-
Built and managed culinary teams for venues ranging from private jets to stadiums
-
Selected by James Beard Foundation for three guest dinners in NYC
Professional Affiliations
Credentials & Certifications
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ServSafe Food Protection Manager - NRA
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HACCP Certified - International HACCP Alliance
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TIPS Alcohol Certification - Health Communications, Inc.
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Certified Professional:Food Safety (CP-FS) - NEHA
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Foodservice Management Professional (FMP) - NRA
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Certified Dietary Manage (CDM, CFPP) - ANFP
Justin’s Specialties
Explore the delectable dishes & palate-pleasing recipes that propelled Justin’s Restaurant fare into the national spotlight
Past Menus
Culinary Creations
Edible Art for the Soul and the Heart
Catering & Food Service
Image Gallery
The Homestead Fine Catering has proudly prepared food, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts for special events of all shapes & sizes
Praise, Press, and Publicity
News & Articles featuring Justin Perez
"Wine News & Notes"
Metroactive Weekly
by Steve Palopoli
July 22nd, 2009
Two Silicon Valley food and wine talents have joined forces for a dinner event on July 31 at La Hacienda in Los Gatos. Chef Justin Perez of Restaurant O Catering will create a four-course menu paired with a range of wines from Los Gatos' Black Ridge Vineyards.
"Restaurant O Has Finally Moved to Santa Clara"
Food Gal
by Carolyn Jung
March 5th, 2012
It’s been a long time coming, but Chef Justin Perez, who started refurbishing the old Wilson’s Jewel Bakery in Santa Clara way back in the summer of 2010, has finally moved his Restaurant O Catering company into that site.
As of last Thursday, his catering company, which had been operating in Los Gatos, was up and running in the new site with a huge 4,000-square-foot kitchen.
"Live Feed: Justin Perez"
SanJose.com
by Stett Holbrook
August 29th, 2012
Chef Justin Perez is a patient and persistent man. And the Pacific Ocean is a rather moist environment. To say that Perez, who runs Restaurant O Catering, has been through the wringer is a gross understatement.
You think your life is tough? Consider what Perez has been through over the past decade
"Santa Clara Welcomes Justin’s - A Long, Long Time in the Making"
Food Gal
by Carolyn Jung
June 21st, 2013
Housed in the old Wilson’s Bakery site, the restaurant took nearly three years to come to fruition as Chef-Owner Justin Perez financed the endeavor himself, with the help of investors and in-kind trades.
When it first opened in March, the restaurant sported a surprisingly long menu and also opened for lunch. Since then, the menu has grown a little more concise.
"Justin’s Appetite for Expression"
SanJose.com
by Jeff Cianci
March 6th, 2013
Chef Justin Perez has jumped through a lot of hoops in recent years - a series of unfortunate circumstances that Perez said are behind him at last. For now, every ounce of Perez’s focus is directed at his new vision for fine dining, Justin’s Appetite for Expression.
"Santa Clara Caterer Justin Perez Gets Back in the Restaurant Business"
The Mercury News
by Linda Zavoral
May 10th, 2019
After closing his Santa Clara restaurant and devoting himself to catering for the past few years, Justin Perez is back in the game.
The popular South Bay chef has renovated his building and opened The Homestead Kitchen & Libations, a more casual concept than his previous restaurant, but still seasonal in focus.
"Take Five With South Bay Chef Justin Perez, A True Survivor"
Food Gal
by Carolyn Jung
June 26th, 2008
The restaurant industry can be a nail-biting, roller-coaster ride. But few chefs have weathered as many jolting ups and downs as Justin Perez.
In 2003, his small Buca restaurant in Campbell faced a David-and-Goliath fight when restaurant chain Buca di Beppo, which has more than 30 locations nationwide, threatened a lawsuit because it believed the name of Perez’s restaurant was too similar and could confuse customers.