Chef Janos Wilder — Tucson’s first James Beard Award winner — has officially announced his latest culinary project: Studio Janos. The new experiences will be open on Thursday, September 28.
“After over 40 years in the restaurant business in Tucson, I am thrilled to present the most personal expression of my work,” said Wilder. “Studio Janos is the place where I will create my most delectable dishes, share my extensive culinary knowledge, and create exceptional experiences for my guests.”
Drawing on his broad career as a chef, restaurateur, and heritage food advocate, chef Wilder’s new venture allows him to focus on hands-on cooking and the flexibility to interact with his guests on a number of levels. For instance, more intimate private dinners (in the studio or catered), team-building activities, informative and fun cooking classes, and lectures on local food culture and the Tucson City of Gastronomy.
Studio Janos also features a complete video studio as well as consulting services.
Wilder has inspired a generation of chefs in the southwest, cultivating and promoting the spirit and flavors of the centuries-old food culture that inspired UNESCO to designate Tucson as the first US Creative City of Gastronomy.
As board chair of the non-profit TCOG (Tucson City of Gastronomy) he has been integral in the development of the TCOG Certification member program (artisans, caterers, and retailers recognized for their commitment to localism), the Chef Ambassador program (training local chefs to bring Tucson’s food heritage to local and international events), as well as advising Heritage food business start-up programs.
In a career that has helped put Tucson’s culinary scene on the worldwide stage, having created over a half dozen award-winning restaurants and as the opening consultant on the five-star KAI restaurant at Wild Horse Pass, Wilder brings years of experience to each component of Studio Janos offering unique experiences at a world-class level.
Studio Janos is located at 124 E. Broadway Blvd. and will be open for business as of Thursday, September 28. For booking and additional details, visit studiojanos.com or call (520) 991-9780.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
