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Our Staff
Cafe Juanita is a family - a glorious extended family of staff, guests and purveyors all committed to quality, integrity and service. We invite you to our home to enjoy the food and wine that excites us and keeps us passionate. Cafe Juanita opened in April 2000 as the dream of Chef/Owner, Holly Smith. Holly feels fortunate to be surrounded by talented and passionate perfectionists who strive to create an authentic experience for all of our guests.Executive Sous Chef: Justin Sledge
Sous Chef Jonah Amodt
Pasta Susan Raunig
Wine Director-General Manager - Dawn Smith
Maitre 'd - Heidi Gates
Servers - Jim Marriott, Kristin McCauley, David Johnson, Glenda Jasso-Porter, Kyle Brierley, Josh Mazanowski, Clayton Cooke
Server Assistants - Alex Ortiz, Angie
Dawn Smith is the Wine Director and General Manager at Cafe Juanita in Kirkland, Washington. Prior to joining Cafe Juanita, she was a Wine Director and Sommelier for the Heavy Restaurant Group in Bellevue, Washington. As Wine Director she oversaw the wine programs at Purple Café and Wine Bar, Barrio Restaurant, and Lot No.3 Restaurant.
Dawn was nominated in August of 2011 as Sommelier of the Year by Sunset Magazine.
A professionally trained chef, her passion for wine emerged as a direct result of her experiences in the kitchen. The daughter of a chef mother, Dawn grew up in the restaurant business. Formal culinary training led to an interest in wine, which led to formal wine training, and opportunities in wine followed.
Prior to becoming Wine Director for Cafe Juanita or Heavy Restaurant Group, Dawn was already on tenure track in 2005, instructing dining room and management courses in the Culinary Arts department at South Seattle Community College. Dawn concurrently served as coordinator and part-time instructor for the school’s Northwest Wine Academy teaching classes in food and wine pairing and sensory evaluation. An invitation to join the Canlis Restaurant team in 2005 turned her attention to wine for good, and she went on to be promoted to Assistant Wine Director and Lead Sommelier. Dawn also served as opening Wine Director at Bin Vivant Restaurant.
Dawn holds a diploma level certification with the International Sommelier Guild, an Advanced Certificate from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. In 2009, Dawn was honored to be named “Sommelier of the Year” by Seattle Magazine.
Justin Sledge developed an appreciation for food and local agriculture early on while growing up in Northern California’s Russian River Valley. His training included a 3 year European style apprenticeship with Arizona’s Scottsdale Princess Resort through the American Culinary Federation and additional courses in Mediterranean and French cuisine at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. Justin continued with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, working at 4 and 5 diamond properties throughout the US, Canada and Mexico.
Inspired by the abundant natural resources of the Pacific Northwest, Justin relocated to Seattle in 2001 as Sous Chef of the Oceanaire Seafood Room and then as Executive Chef of 35th Street Bistro in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood. Justin led the culinary team as the Executive Chef of Salish Lodge & Spa where he was able to demonstrate his appreciation for sustainable agriculture, fishing, and local artisans through his menus and culinary programs.
Most recently, Justin worked with Auberge Resorts as Executive Sous Chef of Calistoga Ranch in the Napa Valley. Although California’s wine country had a lot to offer, Justin was eager to return home to the Northwest and become part of Café Juanita.
Justin lives on Camano Island with his wife and three daughters. When not in the kitchen, you will find him in his vegetable garden, fishing or foraging.
