In March 2002, Jean Francois was inducted into the Association Des Maitres-Cuisiners, the premier international society of the finest French chefs in the world.  He is one of only 50 chefs in the United States to receive this honor. He was named “Outstanding American Chef” by the Grand Master Chefs of America; invited by Bon Appetit to cook at the Grand Fete honoring Julia Child and represented the James Beard House at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.  He has received top awards from the Zagat Survey (27), Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRona), Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and Mobil Guide Two-Star Award.

Jean Francois grew up in Vichy, France and at the age of 15 began apprenticing in the kitchen at the Three-Star Troisgros in Roanne.  Next, he cooked with Chef Jean Ramet at the Two-Star Le Chapon Fin in Bordeaux and then on to Paris to cook with Chef Alain Senderens at the Three-Star L’Archestrade and Michel Bidier at the Two-Star Chiberta.  In the early 1980’s he came to the United States where he spent a decade as Executive Chef of Los Angeles’ premier French restaurant, L’Orangerie.    
                 
Jean Francois’ media coverage includes Food Network (“Secret Life of Food”, “Ready, Set, Cook”), KCAL, KNBC, KABC, KTLA, KTTV, CNN, Bon Appetit, New York Times, Gourmet, Esquire, Westways, InStyle, InTouch, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, Angeleno, Southwest Magazine, Nation’s Restaurant News, Daily Variety and Wall Street Journal.  He also puts his heart on the line with his non-profit work for the Los Angeles Mission and the Meg Foundation, which benefits children orphaned by the Tsunami in 1994. He is past President of the Club Culinaire of French Cuisine/California, which holds fundraising events throughout the year.