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Executive Chef John Eisenhart
John Eisenhart, Pazzo's executive chef, has been fascinated with food and cooking from the time he was a teenager in Omaha, Nebraska and Northern California. Since then, he has captured the attention and respect of some of the greats in the culinary world, working with four James Beard Award-winning chefs. Yet, John Eisenhart simply thinks of himself as a fan of unfussy, fresh flavors-words that might best describe the chef himself.
One of John's first professional experiences in the culinary world came at the age of fourteen, washing dishes at the swank Sonoma Mission Inn in Northern California. He graduated from the California Culinary Academy and began building an illustrious career at famous restaurants on both coasts. From assistant pastry chef and line cook at San Francisco's Aqua Restaurant to saucier at the famed French restaurant La Grenouille in New York, he quickly developed both skill and respect.
It wasn't long before Eisenhart landed the coveted position as Mario Batali's sous chef at Babbo in Manhattan's West Village. At Babbo, John experimented with flavors and techniques, then ventured forth to learn at the source: Italy. Eisenhart trained with top chefs in some of the finest kitchens in Lucca, Venice and Alba. He fell in love with Italian culture and solidified his signature cooking style of creating fresh, simple, robust and clean flavors.
When Eisenhart returned to the United States, he took care to land in a place that would nurture both his creative style and sense of community. He chose Portland. First, working with Chef Philippe Boulot at The Heathman Restaurant, then finding home as Executive Chef at Pazzo in 2003.
"Pazzo is a cornerstone restaurant in Portland's dining scene," says Eisenhart. "We've had fifteen years here because we are dedicated to quality and consistency."
John Eisenhart is as committed to the Portland community as he is to quality food. He actively participates in socially focused events and organizations, like the Wild About Game & Wine Celebration and Taste of Tillamook County. Chef Eisenhart is currently closely involved with p:ear, a non-profit foundation that provides mentorship for homeless children and offers creative programs, workshops and services focused on using education, recreation and the arts to create a safe environment, help build self-esteem and foster positive change in the childrens' lives. Eisenhart also participates in Cooking with Kids classes that benefit the Morrison Family and Child Services Center of Portland.
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