Wischermann Partners is thrilled to announce the appointment of Chef Matthew Kajdan as Executive Chef for The Westin Jackson scheduled to open in early August 2017.ÊMr Kajdan will oversee Estelle, a modern wine barÊand bistro, and the entire food and beverage operation at the hotel, reinforcing The Westin Jackson’s mission to boost travel and tourism in downtown Jackson.Ê
Mr KajdanÊis joining The Westin Jackson team after five years at Parlor Market.ÊAs the Executive Chef at Parlor, Mr KajdanÊbrought a new Southern menu with progressive ideas and local products in a farm to table atmosphere.
Mr KajdanÊhas been invited to represent the city of Jackson and Estelle Wine Bar & Bistro by competing in two upcoming regional culinary competitions, The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival and the eighth Annual Mississippi Seafood Cook-Off.
ÒWe are so excited to have such a distinguished chef from the Jackson community join our team and lead the opening of Estelle,” said Mike Burton, General Manager of The Westin Jackson. “This restaurant will really cater to the creative-minded individual and embrace Jackson’s Southern charm and local culture, while using only the freshest ingredients. We are confident that Chef Matthew will establish Estelle within the city’s thriving dining scene and offer a new foodie hotspot for guests to gather and unwind.Ó
Mr Kajdan was born and raised in Madison, MS where his mother and grandmother showed him the way around the kitchen. Growing up in a large European family, he developed a taste for gourmet cooking and fine foods.
ÒI am proud of what the team has built over at Parlor and will be looking forward to being good neighbors to them in the future,Ó said Mr Kajdan. ÒI am very excited to continue working in the Jackson community and sharing my love and passion for food in a new way at EstelleÊand The Westin Jackson.Ó
Previously,ÊMr KajdanÊbegan his career at Bravo! Italian Restaurant under Chefs Louis Larose and Dan Blumenthal.ÊMr KajdanÊthen went to work in the kitchen of Nick Apostle, where his skills were honed over the next few years. He left his home state of Mississippi in 2006 to pursue a position in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York.
Mr Kajdan worked at the historic Sagamore Hotel under great chefs, including Frank Esposito, Ken Lingle and Pastry Chef Bill Foltze. In 2008, Mr Kajdan moved back to his home state and returned back to work under his mentor Nick Apostle. In these yearsÊMr KajdanÊhelped open the Mermaid Caf as Executive Chef and eventually General Manager. He credits these years and Mr Apostle’s mentorship to his understanding of what it means to be a chef and how to run business without sacrificing ethics.
