James Wasilewski, 36, more commonly known as Wazz, is a South Jersey native with not only wonder lust, but also a passion for culinary excellence with an emphasis on innovative and healthful cooking.

Having worked in some the best restaurants in Orlando, Florida, [the four-diamond Manuels on The 28th, Lemongrass Bistro, Taste], the personable Executive Chef of both Café JonPaul & JP Prime Steakhouse has excelled at level in the kitchen — from Garde Mange to Saucier to Executive Chef. 

JP Restaurant Group affords Wazz the opportunity to explore different aspects of culinary genres — while pushing boundaries across the culinary spectra.

Wazz’ personal passion for bright, contemporary California-style cuisine is evident at North Wildwood’s Café JonPaul with his amazing avocado salad, ahi salad, and freshly prepared falafel, for example. Everything that Chef Wazz creates has a unique spin. Café JonPaul’s turkey Club, for instance, is prepared with kiwis, strawberries, cashews, brie. Chef Wazz insists on having his hands in every dish that comes out of his kitchen. — even the Sushi is prepared in house for Café JonPaul’s popular Sushi Tuesdays.

At JP Prime Steakhouse, Chef Wazz, dives into the rich and glamorous world of the a la carte steakhouse. “I put everything into it, everything at JP PRIME is the best of the best — the meat cuts are the best quality you can buy,” he says — setting a new standard of excellence in South Jersey.

And there’s no need to be intimidated by JP PRIME’s luxury steakhouse concept, says Chef Wazz. The portions are huge, and that makes it great for sharing. The Caesar salad can easily feed several for a first course.

Stand out items on JP PRIME’s menu include Veal Chop is popular, 16 oz NYC Strip; 18 oz bone-in Rib Eye; and a 32 oz Porterhouse. Desserts are of course, crafted in house and are equally great for sharing such as Chef Wazz’s pick of the one-pound chocolate cake and an 18 oz slice of Carrot Cake.

When Chef Wazz isn’t creating great food and overseeing two innovative and dynamic kitchens in burgeoning North Wildwood, the former bass player for Philadelphia-based band Vinyl Throwback — enjoys playing music and surfing.  He also enjoys sampling the dynamic culinary scenes of New York and Philadelphia, traveling, the ocean and just being outdoors.

So why did Chef Wazz return to South Jersey?

“I love it here, says the former personal chef of rock stars and movie stars. “All my family is here. An it was time to get back to work.”