A Tribute to James Kent (Rebroadcast)

All in the Industry ®

Today on our episode #389 of All in the Industry®, Shari Bayer has a special show in honor of James Kent, also known as Jamal James Kent, an outstanding chef, restaurateur, husband, father, and friend, who suddenly passed away this past Saturday, June 15, 2024, from a heart attack at the young age of 45. As a tribute, we are rebroadcasting our episode #253 with James, which originally aired on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, when Shari spoke with him remotely during the trying times of Covid.

The New York Times wrote that James was “a distinguished chef and successful Manhattan restaurateur who seemed poised to become a food industry tycoon.” James' company, Saga Hospitality Group, includes restaurants, Crown Shy (one Michelin star) and Saga (two Michelin stars), and cocktail bar, Overstory (No. 3 on North America’s 50 Best Bars list), which are all in the same building in Manhattan's Financial District at 70 Pine Street. Crown Shy is on the ground floor, and Saga and Overstory are part of the 62nd, 63rd, 64th and 66th floors, along with private dining room, 12 terraces and 360 panoramic views. James future plans included Snackville, re-imagined culinary concepts at the amusement park on Santa Monica Pier in California as a partnership with Saga Hospitality Group and private equity platform, SC Holdings; several projects from fine dining to a fast-casual chicken sandwich concept with NBA great LeBron James, whose investment firm is LRMR Ventures; a 140-seat restaurant at 360 Park Avenue South in Manhattan, inspired by the Grand Central Oyster Bar with Executive Chef Danny Garcia, who was just named winner of Bravo’s Top Chef: Season 21; a new bakery and casual all-day cafe in the newly renovated Domino Sugar factory building in Brooklyn with Executive Pastry Chef Renata Ameni; and five restaurants in partnership with Paris luxury department store, Printemps, at 1 Wall Street, led by Culinary Director Gregory Gourdet. James was also working with Shari’s publisher Phaidon on a new book to tell the story of his restaurants at 70 Pine and his life growing up and cooking in NYC.

Shari was honored to know James, and call him a friend. He was not only an extremely well-respected leader, but he had a beautiful soul, and the ability to make others feel special. His incredible legacy will live on. Our deepest condolences to James’ wife Kelly and their children Gavin and Avery, and everyone who loved James too. Thank you, James, for sharing your story with us, and the wonderful memories. You will be greatly missed. #RIP

** On episode #253 of All in the Industry®, Shari Bayer is joined by James Kent, Executive Chef of Crown Shy, and the Owner/Partner of J2K Creative. A Greenwich Village native, James started his culinary career as a summer apprentice at Bouley when he was fifteen years old, and has since spent time in the kitchens of Babbo, Jean-Georges, and Gordon Ramsay. James joined the team at Eleven Madison Park (EMP) as a line cook and was quickly promoted to sous chef, and in 2010, he placed first in the Bocuse d’Or USA Competition; then representing the US at the international finals of the Bocuse D'Or in Lyon, France, placing 10th in the world. When he returned to New York, he was named chef de cuisine of EMP, and under his leadership, the restaurant received numerous accolades including four stars from The New York Times, three Michelin stars, and a coveted spot on World's 50 Best Restaurants. James was promoted to Executive Chef of The NoMad in the fall of 2013, the same year that it received one Michelin Star. In 2017, he left to pursue his first solo project, an ambitious pair of restaurants in the landmark Art Deco building at 70 Pine Street in New York’s Financial District, with his partner Jeff Katz. Crown Shy, the first of those restaurants, opened in March 2019, and received 2 stars from The New York Times and one Michelin Star just six months after opening. Today's show also features Shari's PR tip to strive for excellence; Industry News discussion, including COVID-19; and Solo Dining/Takeout experience from Einat Admony's Taim in the West Village, NYC.

**Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon). #chefwisebook**

Photo Courtesy of Saga Hospitality Group.

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