After completing an honours degree at McGill and a year of travels in Japan, John attended the French Culinary Institute in NYC and went on to work at the venerable La Caravelle. He then moved on to Craft, Tom Colicchio’s flagship, where over the course of almost two years John learned the successful business practices and incessant demand for high quality that won the restaurant the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in the United States. Upon Johnâs return to Toronto, he joined the team at the acclaimed Splendido where, under Chef/Owner David Lee, he helped to develop sophisticated tasting menus and was proud to be a part of one of Torontoâs best kitchens.
In 2011, John and Erik opened Ascari Enoteca, an Italian wine and pasta bar where there is a focus on âoff the beaten pathâ wines as well as Italian classics. Handmade pasta and inventive shared dishes rule the menu. This was closely followed by the birth of Hi-Lo Bar, a fun neighbourhood rock-and-roll bar featuring great beers, cocktails and snacks, and good times.