Our People

Owner/Chef: Ian Just
Ian is a product of the prestigious École Superieure de Cuisine Française cooking school in Paris where he graduated at the top of his class. After graduation, he worked in the 2 star Michelin restaurant Michel Comby and at the famous brasserie, Aux Charpentier. He started working at Les Zygomates in "The City of Lights" (7 rue de Capri, 75012 Paris) soon after it opened and quickly became the Sous Chef under Chef/Owner Patrick Fray. He worked there nearly 3 years and then returned to Boston to cook at Maison Robert.

2010 will mark Ian's 16th year as owner of Les Zygomates. In 2004, he had the foresight to open another restaurant on South Street called Sorriso Trattoria. Specializing in traditional Italian cuisine, Sorriso's menu is complemented by an ecclectic beer menu along side a most delicious cocktail menu. Not unlike Les Zygomates, Sorriso promises to be a fixture on South Street for many years to come.

Chef: John Paine
John began his culinary career in 1992 as a cook at Aigo Bistro, the critically-acclaimed restaurant located in Concord, Massachusetts. Working under the privileged tutelage of Moncef Meddeb and Chef Ana Sortun, two of the region’s most respected chefs, John's training enabled him to eventually run the kitchen in the role of Executive Chef. In 1997, John was invited to rejoin Ana Sortun at Casablanca Restaurant where, as sous chef, he helped to revitalize the menu at the landmark Cambridge restaurant. During his time at Casablanca, John also gained experience at other area restaurants such as The Blue Room, Biba and the Tuscan Grill. After four years, John left Casablanca for the opportunity to work at Lumiere in Newton. In 2001, John was named Executive Chef at Calla Lily Caterers, one of New England's largest catering companies. John returned to the restaurant industry the following year as the Executive Chef at Caprice restaurant, a Theatre District hotspot featuring high-end French/Mediterranean cuisine.

General Manager and Wine Director: Nicholas Daddona
Nicholas Daddona, a native of Waterown Connecticut, has been immersed in the Restaurant Business since his mid teens. After several years working as a server and bartender in the Boston area, Nick began his dining room training at Legal Seafoods in the Back Bay. While working there he discovered his passion for wine working under the tutelage of Master of Wine Sandy Block.

Prior to becoming the GM and Wine Director at Les Zygomates, Nick spent several years honing his wine and service skills at restaurants in Boston's famed South End. This included being an opening team member at Gaslight Brasserie du Coin.

Assistant Manager and Event Planner: Faith Larsen
Faith Larsen has been in the hospitality industry for over 10 years, specializing in events since 2004. She began in events with one of the top boutique wedding planning firms in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the course of her time in Atlanta she planned and produced events all over the metro Atlanta area and along the resort coasts of Georgia and Florida.

In 2007, Faith relocated to the Boston area and joined one of the premier planning companies in Boston where she produced a wide range of events from Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Cultivation Events, Rehearsal Dinners and Privates Parties. Over the course of her career she has been sought out as an expert for articles in Brides Magazine and The Improper Bostonian. She joined Les Zygomates in 2009 as the Assistant Manager and Event Planner. Having worked in hundreds of event venues all over the East Coast, Faith brings a vast knowledge of events, large and small, to the Les Zygomates family.