About the Chef

"I began cooking in a small, Midwestern restaurant in the late 1960’s. By the late 70’s, I had my first restaurant called the Cedarburg Inn located in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. When I moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1993, I worked as the banquet chef for the Ramada Beach Resort for a year learning the finer points of ‘southern cuisine’.

I then opened a restaurant in 1994 called Exquisite Cuisine serving lunch, dinner and catering (my favorite). After two years, I contracted MS and had to close the restaurant, but I was able to continue catering. Since then I have built a reputation for great food with an extraordinary, personalized presentation. I try to make each event different and unique, contoured to the tastes of the individual." 
- John Marris, Chef of Chez J Catering

Chef John Marris and Exquisite Cuisine were recognized in the Showcase Dining section of the NW Florida Daily News on October 21, 1994 by Tracy Wenzel Conner. Ms. Conner gave Chef Marris' restaurant 3 stars. Chef Marris was featured again in the Showcase on July 7, 1995 by Colleen Coffield this time rating 3 ½ stars.

Chef Marris also participated in the American Cancer Society’s Annual Chef's Tasting in both 1995 and 1996, and was one of the featured chefs on the television show Florida Style - On the Menu in 1995 with his recipes highlighted in the NW Florida Daily News On the Menu section.

Chef Marris recently completed his "The Exquisite Cuisine Learn To Cook Gourmet Cookbook".  This 650 page original compilation of recipes includes definitions of terms, helpful hints, explanations of food types, interesting histories, garnishing tips and more.  This unique book was ten years in the making and includes many beautiful color pictures. Learn more