Photo credit: Gretl Watson-Blazewicz
Award-winning chef Justin James has announced his much-anticipated return to Australia’s culinary landscape with the upcoming opening of his first restaurant, Restaurant Aptos. Slated to open its doors in early 2025, the restaurant will be situated in the scenic Adelaide Hills, located at the former Aptos Cruz Galleries.
After 22 years of professional experience under the guidance of other culinary leaders, Justin is ready to take a significant step forward by transitioning into an independent role. “Over the last three months I have been busy working on my first restaurant. Early on in life, I committed to the lifelong journey of being a chef, that was 22 years ago… For those 22 years, I have been an employee and now I am stepping into the entrepreneurial space as a chef patron,” commented Justin.
The decision to establish his new venture in South Australia is a win the region, with Justin making a name for himself with locals as the founding executive chef at Restaurant Botanic. During his tenure there, it was named the Restaurant of the Year in the 2023 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards.
“Over two decades of dedicating a life to food and hospitality, I am now ready to show what I believe a meal could be, and I am excited to be staying in South Australia in the Adelaide Hills,” he added.
Restaurant Aptos is not just a dining venue, but an ambitious attempt to redefine the gastronomic experience. Featuring a global menu that showcases local Australian ingredients, the restaurant will emphasise seasonal produce sourced from regional farmers. Each item, whether considered humble or luxurious, will be treated with equal importance, reflecting Justin’s philosophy of giving respect to all ingredients.
The dining experience at Restaurant Aptos will be distinctive. Guests will be guided through various spaces throughout their meal, with each area designed to complement different portions of the degustation menu. This concept aligns with Justin’s innovative approach to culinary arts which integrates his expertise and reverence for hospitality.
Every aspect of the guest experience, from the first interaction to the final course, is carefully curated by Justin to ensure it resonates with his vision. As a chef, his role extends beyond cooking to encompass overall service, atmosphere, and design as part of his holistic approach to hospitality.
The venue itself, a 156-year-old historic church that previously housed contemporary art and furniture, promises to lend an intriguing backdrop to Restaurant Aptos. The choice of this iconic site further ties in the interplay between food, art, and community that Justin aims to cultivate.
Justin James’s professional background spans across continents and prestigious kitchens, including his role as a chef at Melbourne’s renowned Vue de Monde. His global insights were honed through experiences at top-tier establishments such as Eleven Madison Park, Noma, and Blue Hill at Stone Barns.
The addition of Restaurant Aptos is poised to enhance South Australia’s reputation as a premier destination for culinary excellence, attracting food lovers from across the world eager to experience Justin James’s unique vision of what a dining experience can be.
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