Chef of Chef Works – Chef Justin Raponi

by Chef Works Canada,

Each month we feature a Chef of Chef Works®. If you’re a fan of Chef Works gear and are interested in being featured, email marketing@chefworks.ca. Pictured above is our Chef of Chef Works this month, Chef Justin Raponi, Executive Chef at All Nations Banquet Hall, in his Hartford Chef Jacket.

 

Chef Works: Give us your “a-ha” moment when you wanted to be a chef?

Justin Raponi: As a child, I remember going to my Italian grandparents’ house with my whole family for dinner. Watching my Grandma & JoeJoe in the kitchen cooking fresh made pasta, red sauce, casing sausages and rolling meatballs by the 100’s, a beautiful art and great passion. Their gardens had rows and rows of different types of tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini and amazingly small red and white vines of beautiful grapes for home-made wine. It was all an introduction for me to the world of culinary. What sparked my interest was these childhood memories – I just knew I wanted to do what they do but on a grander scale.

 

Chef Works: Who was your greatest culinary influence?

Justin Raponi: Massimo Bottura, if you know, you know! Chef Bottura is inspired by “the world around him” his regional Italian cooking & Classical French training. There is a lot to read, learn and love about what he does for our industry. I have followed his journey for years and he is undoubtedly my go to as far as a career influencer goes.

 

Chef Works: What’s the most rewarding part about your job?

Justin Raponi: Creativity! That word steams into many areas of being a chef. A few most important to me are: creative teaching, developing menus, creating new flavours & creating art on a white canvas “the plate”.

 

 “Sweet Summer Halibut” by Chef Justin

Seared Crusted Halibut | Herbed Marinated Baby Tomatoes | Poached Corn in Orange & Oregano Butter | Sweet Corn Puree | Bourbon & Black Peppercorn Caramelized Onion Jam

 

Chef Works: Best anecdote from the kitchen?

Justin Raponi: Oh Lord! COVID has really flipped our industry up-side-down! I’ll keep this one simple and most will understand. 165 Guests for a 4-course plated diner. Myself, one cook and a dishwasher equaled to an energized bunny service in the kitchen and one heck of a service.

 

Chef Works: What’s something about you that would surprise people?

Justin Raponi: I am allergic to finned fish! I can eat shellfish but not finned fish. It’s crazy, right!! On my honeymoon 9 years ago, I was with my amazing wife in the Dominican at a restaurant. I ordered a fish consommé, next thing I knew I was running from the table to find the resort Doctor, I felt something in my throat was wrong. Long story short, I came home, took a food allergy test and sure enough it was a finned fish allergy. I still cook fish daily I just cannot consume it. Thank god for the many years of experience I have cooking fish because not being able to eat it requires a boat load of reading and educating myself on many types of fish, their taste, type of flesh, best way to cook and season it.

 

Chef Works: Your all-time favourite culinary tip…

Justin Raponi: There are many that come to mind but my go-to-few that I truly believe will help cooks in this industry and further their professional career is: work for great chefs. To become a great chef, you must work WITH great chefs. Keep your eyes open, listen well and take in as much real-life knowledge as you can. Don’t shut culinary down after you leave your job at the end of your shift. Work on skills at home, research and continue to educate yourself, make mistakes and learn from them. Last but not least, shut the ego down fast! The goal to success in hospitality is two simple words, TEAM WORK! Make sure you learn to play within it.

 

Chef Works: How does your culinary uniform make you feel?

Justin Raponi: Breathable & non-restrictive. I wear the Hartford Jacket in Blue, Black & White and it is lightweight, comfortable and an all-around AAA chef jacket.

 

To learn more about Chef Justin Raponi, visit his profile online:

LinkedIn: Justin Raponi

Instagram: @chef_raponi

Website: All Nations Banquet Hall

 

Meet other Chefs of Chef Works:

Year 2021

Year 2020

Year 2019

Year 2018

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