Known the world over for having made an indelible mark on the culinary world with his exquisite personal cuisine, Chef Joho humbly entered the profession as a 6-year-old, peeling vegetables in his aunt’s restaurant kitchen. His rise to international success began on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange with, what is now one of the world’s premier dining rooms, Everest. Today, his establishments across the country in Chicago (Everest and Paris Club), Boston (Brasserie Jo) and Las Vegas (Eiffel Tower Restaurant) set standards for dining and win accolades at every turn.
Most recently, Chef Joho opened the highly-anticipated Paris Club, which serves approachable French fare in a casual, urban setting that appeals to a new generation of diners. Chef Joho also opened his kitchen to readers with the Eiffel Tower Cookbook, sharing 50 of his signature dishes and transporting the magic of Paris into kitchens of gourmet homes across the country.
Chef Joho’s formal training began as a 13-year-old apprentice for Paul Haeberlin of the acclaimed L’Auberge de L’Ill in Alsace, France, and continued in kitchens in France, Italy and Switzerland. By the age of 23, Joho was the sous chef at a Michelin three-star restaurant where he commanded a 35-person staff. It was while he was studying at the Hotel Restaurant School in Strasbourg that Joho immersed himself in the hotel and restaurant business, as well as the arts of pastry, cheese and wine.
Below please find a sampling of Chef Joho’s professional accomplishments:
Restaurants
- Everest, Chicago
- Brasserie Jo, Chicago and Boston
- Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Las Vegas
- Paris Club, Chicago,
- Co-founder of the Corner Bakery concept
- Partner of M Burger, Chicago
Accolades
- James Beard Foundation (JBF) “Who’s Who,” JBF “Best New Restaurant,” JBF “Best American Chef: Midwest”
- Robert Mondavi “Culinary Award of Excellence”
- Bon Appetit’s “Best Chef of the Year”
- Gourmet Magazine’s “Best Restaurant for Business Dining”
- Everest has been named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of America’s most romantic restaurants
- Chicago Magazine’s “Best Restaurant in Chicago”
- Mobile Dining Award, Everest
- JBF nominations for “Best Outstanding Restaurant,” “Outstanding Chef,” “Outstanding Service”
- Everest consistently rated 4 stars from Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Magazine
- Everest’s wine list has been credited as the “country’s best selection of Alsace wine” by USA Today, The New York Times and Saveur
- Five-Diamond AAA rating, Everest
- Gayot’s Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
Television Appearances
- BRAVO’S Top Chef
- TBS’s Dinner & A Movie
- PBS, CNN
- Detroit: WXYZ
- Chicago: ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, WGN
- Las Vegas: CPTV
International Press
- l’Ame & I’Esprit
- Les Saisons d’Alsace
- Le Monde, France
- Business Travel, China
- The International Herald Tribune
- Le Figaro, France
- Elle Magazine International
- Tribune de’ Logne, France
- Gourmet International
- Der Feinschmecker, Germany
Highlighted Praise
“The jovial Mr. Joho stands astride the culinary heap” - The New York Times
“Best Alsace wine list in the hemisphere” - Johnny Apple, New York Times
“A brilliant meal from a great chef who is at the top of his game” - Robert M. Parker Jr.
“Four stars – Chicago’s most romantic restaurant” - Chicago Tribune
“Four stars – spectacular in every way” - Chicago Sun-Times
Member Of
- Le Grande Table Du Monde Traditions & Qualité
- Relais & Chateaux/Relais Gourmand
- Maitre Cuisiniers de France
RJ Melman
Managing Partner of HUB 51, SUB 51, Paris Club, Studio Paris, RPM Italian, Bub City, Three Dots and a Dash,
M Street Kitchen & Stella Rossa Pizza Bar
RJ Melman is managing partner of HUB 51, adjoining nightclub SUB 51, Paris Club, indoor/outdoor nightclub Studio Paris, RPM Italian, Bub City and Three Dots and a Dash – all located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood –and M Street Kitchen and Stella Rossa in Santa Monica, Calif.
With an interest in restaurants dating back to his teenage years, RJ began bussing tables and running food at age 13 at the former Bub City in Chicago. By high school, he was cooking at various Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) restaurants where he further developed his understanding and passion for the restaurant business.
In 2001, RJ received his degree from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication Studies. Upon graduation, he immediately embarked the next phase of his career – restaurant management. In the past decade, RJ has helped open more than ten LEYE restaurants and has served as the general manager of LEYE’s iconic first restaurant, R.J. Grunts. He has also served as a consultant to a variety of restaurant projects outside of the company.
With his strong background and varied expertise in the restaurant business, RJ, along with his brother Jerrod, opened HUB 51 and lower-level club SUB 51 in June 2008, offering Chicago’s most coveted neighborhood a unique mixture of dining, nightlife and entertainment. In February 2011, with the goal of reintroducing French cuisine to a new generation of diners, the duo teamed up with internationally-acclaimed Chef Joho to create Paris Club – a casual French restaurant and bar – located two doors down from HUB 51. Four months later, the duo opened Studio Paris – an exclusive indoor/outdoor nightclub and lounge above the restaurant. In February 2012, RJ, Jerrod, and their sister Molly, partnered with celebrity couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic and acclaimed chef Doug Psaltis to open RPM Italian, presenting a menu that is Italian in spirit and modern in style.
In December 2012, RJ and his siblings, in partnership with chef Psaltis, acclaimed mixologist Paul McGee and Joe’s Bar founders Ed Warm and Tom DiSanto, opened country bar and restaurant, Bub City. In early 2013, RJ, Jerrod and Molly, alongside Paul McGee, will open tiki bar Three Dots and a Dash.
Residing in Chicago, RJ is active within the Chicago philanthropic and business community and serves on a number of boards and committees.
Jerrod Melman
Managing Partner of HUB 51, SUB 51, Paris Club, Studio Paris, RPM Italian, Bub City, Three Dots and a Dash,
M Street Kitchen & Stella Rossa Pizza Bar
Managing Partner of HUB 51, SUB 51, Paris Club, Studio Paris, RPM Italian, Bub City, Three Dots and a Dash, M Street Kitchen & Stella Rossa Pizza Bar
Jerrod Melman is managing partner of HUB 51, SUB 51, Paris Club, Studio Paris, RPM Italian, Bub City and Three Dots and a Dash – the dining, nightlife and social establishments created by him and his siblings, RJ and Molly, in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, as well as M Street Kitchen and Stella Rossa Pizza Bar in Santa Monica, California.
Jerrod’s earliest memories of working in restaurants began at the young age of 10 as a busboy at the original Maggiano’s. After Maggiano’s, Jerrod took a five-year hiatus from the restaurant business to pursue other interests, namely finishing grade school. During high school and college, he held various roles in a dozen or so Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) restaurants, as well as IN-N-OUT Burger in Arizona, learning the business from the ground up.
The summer before his senior year in college, he participated in the LEYE internship program which solidified his interest in pursuing a restaurant career. After graduating from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Jerrod managed LEYE restaurants Osteria Via Stato and R.J. Grunts and gained valuable experience in New York at B.R. Guests and Union Square Hospitality Group.
Jerrod brings this wealth of restaurant knowledge to each new venture he pursues. In June 2008, along with his brother RJ, he opened HUB 51 and lower-level club SUB 51, offering Chicago’s most coveted neighborhood a unique mixture of dining, nightlife and entertainment. The brothers teamed up with internationally-acclaimed Chef Joho to introduce Paris Club, a casual French restaurant and bar that opened in February 2011. Four months later, the duo opened exclusive indoor/outdoor lounge Studio Paris above the restaurant. In February 2012, Jerrod, RJ, and their sister Molly partnered with celebrity couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic and celebrated chef Doug Psaltis to open RPM Italian, presenting a menu that is Italian in spirit and modern in style.
In December 2012, the Melman siblings, in partnership with chef Psaltis, renowned mixologist Paul McGee and Joe’s Bar founders Ed Warm and Tom DiSanto, opened country bar and restaurant, Bub City. Jerrod and his team’s next project is tiki bar Three Dots and a Dash, slated to open in 2013.
A longtime Chicago resident, Jerrod is an avid supporter of several local philanthropic and community initiatives. He also enjoys playing basketball and softball, going to the movies, and a night out with good friends.
