Chef de Latour, John Benjamin Chef John Benjamin brings a wealth of experience and fine dining knowledge to Restaurant Latour at Crystal Springs. Benjamin was chosen as Chef de Latour for his unique ability to develop creative and elegant menus that perfectly compliment Latour’s extraordinary and expansive wine cellar. As with many great chefs, John Benjamin knew early on that he wanted to be a chef and can’t imagine life as anything else. After high school, he enrolled in a local culinary program near his home in Westport, Connecticut. After completing that program and with a desire to be the best, Benjamin enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America. There, he began honing his formidable culinary skills, both in the classroom and with practical experience gained from staging at several fine dining restaurants in New York City. After graduating from the CIA, Benjamin continued to expand and refine his craft under the watchful eye of such world renowned chefs as Thomas Keller, Charlie Palmer, Michael Mina and John Halligan. Chef Benjamin’s style reflects his individual techniques and the experience he gained in the kitchens of Aureole, The Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, CT, The French Laundry and Aqua in California. After many years of working for some of the finest restaurants in the country, Benjamin moved on to further refine and expand his repertoire of skills as a chef in his own right. He has been a chef at upscale fine dining restaurants featuring Irish, Bistro, French, and American fare. Chef Benjamin likes to call his cuisine creative American with a French influence. Chef Benjamin has also been involved in the opening of several prestigious restaurants including The Lenox Room in New York City and Tibwin Grill in New Haven, Connecticut. Chef Benjamin is a member as well as a recipient of rewards for contribution to the James Beard Foundation. Chef Benjamin has participated annually to charity events such as New Jersey Battered Women, St. Joseph’s Hospital and many others. Today, John Benjamin’s style reflects his desire for perfection and for creating the ultimate tasting experience with every dish he prepares using local, seasonal and the freshest of ingredients. To watch Benjamin at work is to see a true artist in the kitchen. From first sight to last bite, Chef Benjamin promises an exquisite dining experience.