Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Jason Lewis.
Hi Chef Jason, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Chef Jason Lewis
Biography
First and foremost, I would like to thank God for blessing me with the opportunity, ability, and passion to pursue a career centered around food and the culinary arts.
Chef Jason Lewis has dedicated more than 35 years to the culinary industry in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2013, he founded J Lewis Catering, providing exceptional catering services for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions. As part of his catering packages, he also created custom ice sculptures to elevate each event.
As demand grew, Chef Jason noticed that guests were asking just as many questions about his ice sculptures as they were about his food. Recognizing the opportunity, he launched J Lewis Ice Carvings, a business devoted exclusively to creating handcrafted ice sculptures. Since then, the company has grown into one of the region’s premier ice carving businesses, serving weddings, conventions, corporate events, festivals, and private celebrations.
Throughout his culinary career, Chef Jason has held leadership positions with some of New Orleans’ most respected hospitality organizations. He served as Kitchen Supervisor at the Marriott Convention Center and as Sous Chef at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, where he developed seasonal menus and designed spectacular ice carvings for conventions, holiday buffets, and special events.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Chef Jason’s love for cooking began at the age of eight. Every weekend, he prepared breakfast for his grandfather, who requested pancakes, eggs, and bacon. His family was amazed that the meals tasted as though they had been prepared by an experienced adult, and those early mornings sparked a lifelong passion for the culinary arts.
While attending high school, Chef Jason worked weekends as a dishwasher at Rick’s Café in Gretna, Louisiana. When one of the cooks unexpectedly left, he stepped into the kitchen and became the restaurant’s fry cook. That opportunity confirmed what he already knew—cooking was more than a job; it was his calling.
Determined to perfect his craft, Chef Jason attended culinary school and trained under many of New Orleans’ finest chefs. One of his most influential mentors was Chef Ron Willmon of Allegro Bistro, who helped shape his cooking techniques, discipline, creativity, and appreciation for the culinary profession.
Today, Chef Jason continues to push the boundaries of culinary creativity through both his cuisine and his award-worthy ice sculptures. Whether crafting unforgettable dining experiences or transforming blocks of ice into works of art, his mission remains the same: to exceed expectations and create lasting memories for every guest.
When he isn’t creating innovative culinary experiences or designing breathtaking ice sculptures, Chef Jason enjoys spending quality time with his beautiful wife and their four wonderful children. His faith, family, and passion for excellence continue to inspire everything he does.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Chef Jason Lewis
The Challenges Behind the Ice
People often see the finished ice sculpture but rarely understand the hard work, sacrifice, and precision required to create it.
For more than 35 years, Chef Jason Lewis has dedicated his life to the culinary arts. After founding J Lewis Catering in 2013, he began incorporating custom ice sculptures into his events as an added touch of elegance. Before long, clients were talking more about the ice carvings than the food, inspiring him to create J Lewis Ice Carvings.
Building a career as an ice sculptor was far from easy. Unlike many culinary skills, ice carving requires mastering an art form that combines creativity, engineering, and speed. Every sculpture begins as a solid block of ice weighing hundreds of pounds. There are no second chances—one wrong cut can ruin hours of work.
The physical demands are just as challenging. Ice carving requires long hours in freezing temperatures while lifting heavy blocks, operating chainsaws, chisels, grinders, and specialized carving tools. Each event comes with strict deadlines, leaving little room for error. Every sculpture must not only look beautiful but also survive transportation, setup, and changing weather conditions.
Chef Jason has faced these challenges with determination, constantly refining his techniques and pushing himself to create larger, more intricate, and more innovative designs. His years of experience as Kitchen Supervisor at the Marriott Convention Center and Sous Chef at the Royal Sonesta Hotel helped develop the discipline, attention to detail, and creativity that continue to define his work today.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Chef Jason’s passion for cooking began at just eight years old when he prepared weekend breakfasts for his grandfather. That same passion for excellence eventually led him from washing dishes at Rick’s Café in Gretna to becoming a fry cook, attending culinary school, and learning under respected chefs, including his mentor, Chef Ron Willmon of Allegro Bistro.
Today, Chef Jason is known not only as a chef but also as an artist who transforms ordinary blocks of ice into extraordinary centerpieces. His sculptures have become the highlight of weddings, conventions, corporate events, festivals, and private celebrations throughout the Gulf Coast.
For Chef Jason, every sculpture represents more than frozen water—it represents years of practice, perseverance, and the willingness to overcome challenges that most people never see. His goal is simple: to create unforgettable experiences and lasting memories, one sculpture at a time.
Guided by his faith in God, inspired by his family, and driven by a passion for excellence, Chef Jason Lewis continues to elevate the art of ice carving while proving that with dedication, even the coldest medium can become a work of art.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in creating custom ice carvings and preparing classic French cuisine, combining artistic craftsmanship with exceptional culinary expertise.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I specialize in handcrafted ice carvings and classic French cuisine, combining artistry, precision, and culinary excellence to create unforgettable experiences. Throughout my career, I have been honored to learn from two exceptional New Orleans chefs—Chef Ron Willman and Chef Robert Bruce—whose mentorship helped shape my skills, work ethic, and passion for the culinary arts. Their guidance continues to inspire my commitment to excellence in every dish I prepare and every ice sculpture I create.
Pricing:
- $1000
- $10000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Jlewisicecarving.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j_lewis_ice_carvings?igsh=eGtsbjZpZW1pNjht&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/184bLVSo5m/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlewisicecarvings
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jlewisicecarvings2838?si=D0IO_qBvYymhLdrc
- Yelp: Jlewisicecarvings
