Chef Jonathan Kaiser of Calusso stands at the pass in Season 2 of Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars as he pursues Michelin recognition at Fort Lauderdale’s Pier Sixty-Six. Photo courtesy of Apple TV. All Rights Reserved.Calusso Executive Chef Jonathan Kaiser Talks Michelin Ambitions, Culinary Precision, and Finding the Fun in Fine Dining
In Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars Season 2, Chef Jonathan Kaiser embraces the tremendous opportunity presented to him. As the Executive Chef of Calusso, the Fort Lauderdale-based restaurant, the pressure to create impeccable dishes, execute them perfectly, and impress both his diners and his bosses can be overwhelming. But pursuing one of the highest accolades in the culinary world is worth all the hard work.
Recently, FlickDirect spoke with Chef Jonathan. When asked why the goal of a Michelin star is so important to him, he spoke plainly. The combination of its scarcity and the difficulty of obtaining it makes the accolade highly coveted. At the same time, anyone can pursue the goal.
During his career, Chef Jonathan has worked with many highly acclaimed chefs. From Chicago to Las Vegas, those experiences gave him the technical foundation to pursue culinary creativity at Calusso. His foie gras Pop-Tart is not possible without his classical knowledge.
Looking at his menu, there is a sense of playfulness tempered with an air of sophistication. Chef Jonathan takes a practical approach. As he said, “I just cook the food that I like. I cook the food that I’m proud of.” Seasonal ingredients, curious combinations, and fresh choices are the common thread in everything that he does.
I just cook the food that I like. I cook the food that I’m proud of.
While Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars highlights some of the best restaurants in the world, Chef Jonathan wants to “take the pretense out of fine dining.” He believes that approach will bring him success. Fun is essential. Luxury does not have to be stuffy. Relaxed and refined can go hand in hand.
A lovely example of this approach is the stone crab stogie, which was highlighted in the Apple TV show. Chef Jonathan can take that silly, out-of-the-box idea and reverse engineer it into a showstopping dish. It is the perfect example of fun and sophisticated in an approachable way. All of it would not be possible without his superior technical skills.
Chef Jonathan asserted, “There should always be a classically rooted approach to my food.” His Robuchon experience will always influence his technical precision, but he wants guests to see the witty, playful, and whimsical element. At the same time, a professional chef will fully appreciate all the effort to make the dish appear so easy.
A lovely example of this concept at Calusso is the Snacks Menu, which is Chef Jonathan’s favorite section. That first impression sets the tone for the meal. Yes, there can be a classical progression on the tasting menu, but these snack dishes are a glimpse into the chef’s creative mind.
Since the restaurant offers a Coastal American slant, Chef Jonathan recommends that diners enjoy some of the locally sourced fish that will always be on the menu. From the nuanced sauce on the delicate fish to the bright punch of citrus on a crudo, every element combines to highlight the star of the plate.
Those fresh, seasonal ingredients are his favorite proteins to cook. Chef Jonathan explained that cooking fish is instinctual. He said, “I just enjoy cooking. It requires a little bit more finesse than just hitting a temp on a steak. It’s not really written in stone on how to cook a perfect piece of fish.” That intuitive approach to food sets him apart from just another cook.
That attention to detail, the desire to send out a perfect dish every night, is what drives Chef Jonathan. Even though he and the restaurant did not earn a star for 2025, diners will see him stand at the pass at Calusso.
During the final minutes together, Chef Jonathan emphasized, “We are ready for them. I want it. You have to position yourself, perfect your craft. When that timing aligns, everything goes right, and execute to that level; that is what you are going after.” Chef and his team strive for that consistency every night. Diners, regardless of a particular plaque on the wall, experience that distinctive food and relish in the experience.
Will Calusso and Chef Jonathan Kaiser eventually earn that coveted Michelin Star recognition? It is time to book a reservation and see for yourself.
Calusso is a Coastal American restaurant located at Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Reservations can be made online.
For more on the series, read FlickDirect’s Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars Season 2 coverage.
Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars Season 2 airs on Apple TV. New episodes drop on Fridays.
Dining and Cooking