Today we’d like to introduce you to James Wozniuk
Hi James, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Makan Charleston is the second location of Washington DC’s Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant of the same name. I spent my formative years in Greenville, SC before moving to Washington, DC in 2005. Prior to opening Makan in DC, I served as chef of Maketto then Spoken English, receiving multiple nominations and awards from Michelin, James Beard, and RAMW.
There are many similarities between ingredients you find in the south and in Malaysia, such as okra and fresh fish.
I wanted to get back to my roots, be closer to family, and show the fine people of Charleston what Malaysian food is all about!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are always challenges in opening any new restaurant, such as the twists are turns of a turn-of-the-century building, city and state regulations to abide by, construction timing. But nothing was as challenging this time around as opening Makan, DC at the start of a pandemic. We survived that, so this time it was easy by comparison.
The biggest challenge is working these long hours when there are so many amazing restaurants to go to in Charleston!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Makan, meaning “to eat”, is South Carolina native chef James Wozniuk’s culinary dream come to life, celebrating his love for Malaysian cuisine and culture. A seasoned chef with deep roots in exploring east Asia, Wozniuk invites you to indulge in the beauty of Malaysian food cooked with care, as well as a versatile beverage program utilizing a wide range of Malaysian ingredients. Enjoy the stunning dining room mural by Columbia, SC artist Maria DeFelice while sipping on a teh tarik!
What were you like growing up?
I was born in Dallas and grew up in Greenville, SC. My mom was an amazing cook, and she took us out to different types of restaurants when we were kids. When I got out of school I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life. I went to Canada, to take care of my grandmother, and there was a technical college near her house. They had two programs: automotive marketing and culinary. I never did care much about cars, so I enrolled in the culinary program.
I immediately fell in love with Asian food. I traveled to Cambodia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Laos, all over, just eating and learning. I came upon Malaysian food while on a layover in Kuala Lumpur. I was hooked. Now here we are with our second Makan!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://makanchs.com
- Instagram: @makanchs
