Seasoned San Diego chef James Montejano has left his role as corporate executive chef of RMD Group and their Gaslamp steakhouse Huntress and will return to the employ of his mentor Michael Mina, taking the lead in the kitchen at International Smoke in Del Mar.
Highly-respected native chef James Montejano joined RMD Group in fall 2018 to assist the growing hospitality company in developing the culinary side of the company's numerous dining venues, including the multi-concept restaurant constructed at the historic Grand Pacific Hotel building in the heart of the Gaslamp. When Huntress steakhouse finally opened last summer, Montejano led the kitchen at the downtown destination restaurant.
After graduating from the California Culinary Academy in 1993, James Montejano started working at Aqua in San Francisco where he trained under renowned chef restaurateurs George Morrone and Michael Mina, and was promoted to sous chef within just two years. He then worked with Jeffrey Strauss at Pampelmousse in Solana Beach. His first Executive Chef position was in La Jolla at Cafe Japengo. After winning two consecutive annual awards for Best Sushi from the California Restaurant Association, Chef James decided to widen his horizons
After graduating from the California Culinary Academy in 1993, James Montejano started working at Aqua in San Francisco where he trained under renowned chef restaurateurs George Morrone and Michael Mina, and was promoted to sous chef within just two years. He then worked with Jeffrey Strauss at Pampelmousse in Solana Beach. His first Executive Chef position was in La Jolla at Cafe Japengo. After winning two consecutive annual awards for Best Sushi from the California Restaurant Association, Chef James decided to widen his horizons