Jason Stratton Becomes Mamnoon's Executive Chef

Jason Stratton, you keep shaking it up. A month and a half ago, Eater learned that the James Beard nominated chef formerly of Spinasse, Artusi, and the recently shuttered Vespolina, was moving from Italian to Middle Eastern cuisine as the new general manager of mamnoon. It was a unique GM role from the start: in July, mamnoon co-owner Wassef Haroun said that "all areas" of the restaurant would report to the new position.  "As a result," Haroun said, "it really calls for a special talent with a combination of culinary, restaurant management and guest relation skills—Jason is a great fit."

Now comes word from a new release that Stratton will "expand his front of house role at mamnoon to include oversight of the kitchen as the restaurant's executive chef." Stratton will work with Racha Haroun, mamnoon's second owner, to facilitate the cultural switch to Middle Eastern dishes. (Remembering Stratton's Spanish Aragona, it's important to note that he's long had interest in more than just Italian cuisine.)

Carrie Mashaney, formerly of Spinasse, Artusi and Vespolina, is also coming on at mamnoon as pastry chef, and David Gurewitz, who cooked with Stratton at Spinasse, has been the restaurant's executive sous chef since July. Just before Gurewitz started at mamnoon, Eater learned that Jimi Treen had been installed the restaurant's interim chef de cuisine when Garrett Melkonian shifted to creative culinary development. Seattle Met writes that Treen has moved on to another job.