Jose Coronado, Executive Chef Julia’s 1902 at Willoughby House, Willoughby
By Mimi Vanderhaven
As head chef at Felice Urban Café on Larchmere for seven years, self-taught Chef Jose Coronado made a name for himself leading one of the most inventive and daring kitchens in town. The beloved eatery earned Top 25 Best Restaurants in Cleveland honors from Cleveland Magazine during his tenure.
When Felice closed, this master of new twists decided to take a look back. Way back. In 2022, he joined restaurateurs Mike and Paul Neundorfer in their restoration of an 1898 landmark building, a former country estate with loads of history. Named after the woman who commissioned the mansion, Julia French Boyce, and the year it was built, Julia’s 1902 opened earlier this year and has garnered high praise for Chef Jose’s inspired take on global fusion. Let the next chapter begin!
Q. You have Guatemalan roots. How does that influence your culinary style?
I was born in Coatepeque, Guatemala, about 45 minutes from the Mexican border. We moved to America when I was 13. My earliest memories are of my mom cooking with brightly colored chilies and fresh produce, tomatoes, avocados and peppers. While I definitely want to pay homage to my country, I also choose to put a twist on the flavors, mix them up with Asian influences and classic American ones.
Q. When did you know you wanted to be a chef?
When I was 14, I started working at a restaurant called Fat Cats in Tremont. The chef/owner Ricardo Sandoval showed me what a rewarding job it can be. From then on, I knew this would be my career path.
Q. Who is the most influential chef in your life?
Chef Sandoval was influential, but I’d say my mom, Josefina, is my biggest inspiration. There were five kids in my family, and she was always cooking, and the dishes were different all the time. She was so creative and looked for ways to put different flavors together.
Q. What’s your favorite dish on the menu?
The Pozole topped with halibut in a red chili sauce. Its inspiration came from a trip my wife and I made to Jalisco, Mexico. We had the perfect meal at a beautiful restaurant and the dish we ordered was pozole.
Q. If you weren’t a chef, what career path might you have followed?
My mom was a nurse and wanted me to be a doctor, and my dad wanted me to be a businessman or lawyer, so I guess I’d be one of those.
Q. What country would you most like to visit to experience its cuisine?
Since I love Asian food, at some point it would be great to visit Thailand.
To nominate a chef for Mimi’s “Yes, Chef!” column, please email Mimi@MimiVanderhaven.com. Visit MimiVanderhaven.com/YesChef to see more articles, recipes and favorite food photos.Julia’s 1902 restaurant and bar is located on the ground floor of Willoughby House, an Inn and Event Center at 37819 Euclid Avenue, Willoughby. Call 440-306-8332 or visit Julias1902.com.