J. Geoff Johnson

From a very young age, Chef Geoff discovered the love of cooking from his mother and grandmother, traditional northern and southern Italian cuisine. He has owned the Bulk Head Restaurant in Barnegat at the age of 21 and has worked at Il Giardino Sul Mare, C’est La Vie, and The Downtown Restaurant, as the pastry chef; to name a few. His success led to an opportunity to work for Jon BonJovi as a personal chef, along with several engagements with the Canadian Embassy. More locally, Chef Geoff has participated in the Taste of the Nation, now of Ocean County, during the past ten years, Share our Strength, appeared on Channel 12 news cooking segments, received a total of twelve write up stars. Two featured articles in Ed Hitzel Magazine, feature articles in the Courier Post, Cape May Times, Islander and The Beacon. Also participated in culinary food shows with Emeril Lagasse, Giada Di Laurentis, Guy Fierri, Ted Allen, Duff Goldman, Tyler Florence, just to name a few. Most recently, The Copper Fish Restaurant has been nominated as the Best Seafood Restaurant at the Shore, Best Restaurant ’08 and ’09. In 2007 Johnson took over ownership of the Copper Fish Restaurant in Cape May, NJ where he enjoys coming up with progressive culinary techniques to create a balance of exploratory, yet approachable dishes. Johnson’s goal is to provide Copper Fish guests unique and modern culinary experiences grounded in the context of traditional flavors. In addition to his broad professional experience, Johnson’s education has been primarily self taught, working through the ranks, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the ever changing industry. He owes much of his knowledge to his mentor Chef Paul Lombardy, the Culinary Education Center, the Academy of Culinary Arts and many of the other chefs that he has worked under.

Currently, Johnson is working on a series of cookbooks to be released sometime in 2009. Additionally, he is preparing to open another location in 2009 or early 2010 and a location in Duram, North Carolina. He hosts his own radio show on cooking and discussions about the restaurant industry where he “cooks” in the studio for his loyal listeners. With local celebrity status, Johnson also performs chef demonstrations at the Copper Fish, inviting other chefs to participate and share their culinary prowess.

Remember-its Geoff’s world….now eat it!