A San Diego native, Balistreri has spent his career shaping some of California’s most respected kitchens. He most recently served as the Purchasing Director, Culinary Trainer for The Crack Shack and Juniper and Ivy, two restaurants known for their creative menus and strong culinary identity. Earlier in his career, he helped lead culinary operations at Tender Greens as the brand expanded across the golden state and East Coast. Now, he’s bringing that experience home to Jimmy’s Famous and sibling restaurant Waterfront Grill in San Diego’s South Bay. Working alongside the team, Balistreri is focused on reimagining the menus in a way that reflects the restaurants’ neighborhood feel and is focused on elevating guest favorites, introducing seasonal dishes, and keeping the food thoughtful, approachable, and craveable. While Jimmy’s Famous has a long-time commitment to fresh, locally sourced seafood and ingredients, he’ll look to expand relationships with local farmers and fishermen furthering the restaurant’s commitment to ingredient-driven cooking.