Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Meet Eamon Lee: 7 Questions to Get to Know Syracuse University’s New Executive Chef

Monday, October 18, 2021, By Jennifer DeMarchi
Share
Food Services
Eamon Lee

Eamon Lee

Food Services has hired a new executive chef with deep roots in the Central New York region. Chef Eamon Lee brings over three decades of experience in the food services industry to the University. In the near term, Eamon will look to create a culinary training program for the Food Services department. He will also be listening to student, staff and faculty feedback as his team crafts menus and concepts for the University’s dining centers, cafes, and catering and concessions operations.

“Eamon has a depth of experience, passion and energy we are lucky to have at Syracuse University,” says Jon Webster, executive director of hospitality. “He has worked in food service operations of all sizes. He has deep roots in and a strong passion for all things Syracuse.”

A Central New York native, Eamon started his career in high school at age 16 as a dishwasher and cook at The Wellington House in Fayetteville. He has worked at several iconic CNY establishments, including the Brewster Inn and The Lincklaen House in Cazenovia and in 1995, he was the opening sous chef at The Arad Evans Inn.

After a year in Manhattan working with two James Beard Award-winning chefs, he returned to Syracuse and accepted his first executive chef position at 238 Bistro (now Bistro Elephant) in Armory Square. In 1999, he became the executive chef at the Century Club of Syracuse, where he remained for 10 years.

In 2008, he took his career to food service distribution as a culinary director and kitchen design consultant, advising independent restaurant owners and chefs throughout upstate New York. He remained there until the executive chef position at the University opened.

When not working, Eamon enjoys the outdoors and traveling with his wife Amie, herself a Syracuse alumna, and biking, canoeing, bee keeping, foraging, gardening, fly-fishing, or building fine furniture.

  • 01
    What do you like about working on a college campus?

    This is my first time working in a university atmosphere. I grew up in the Syracuse University neighborhood, went to high school in Syracuse, and I’ve bled Orange my whole life, so I am extremely excited about this opportunity.

    Because Syracuse University Food Services is self-operated, it gives us the unique opportunity to meet the needs of our students in a way that is most meaningful to them. When we see the same students daily, we can develop a relationship and provide a level of service and hospitality unlike other environments.

  • 02
    What types of challenges do you foresee?

    Food Services is a complex and large organization. Creating any kind of change is a massive undertaking, however, because of the scale of our resources, I feel that we will be able to create a level of culinary excellence unmatched in most universities.

    Opportunities present themselves by talking and listening to our students. I plan to be very present, so I can meet with students to better understand their needs and expectations.

  • 03
    What current food industry trends are exciting to you? Do you see a possibility of including some of these at Syracuse University?

    The bowl concept is an example of something that is quickly served with intense and interesting flavors. I like that bowls are like an empty canvas where you can take something delicious from anywhere in the world, break it down to its basic elements, and reconstruct it so it is creative and playful, all in a bowl!

    Eating should be fun. The bowl concept allows you to immerse yourself in a different culture and discover something inspiring and delicious.

  • 04
    What is your vision for Food Services? What can students look forward to seeing in the near future?

    I plan to be available and visible where food is served on campus. I will be looking to engage with our student audience. I hope to evolve Food Service’s relationship with our students, asking better questions, and doing more meaningful outreach.

    I plan to spend just as much time in the dining room as in the kitchen, to better understand our students’ preferences.

  • 05
    What is your personal cooking style?

    My cooking style evolved throughout the years as I had the opportunity to work with world-renowned chefs. By learning their styles, I eventually settled on what matters most to me in my own cooking style.

    I’m a seasonal cook. I focus on what is accessible each season of the year. In Upstate New York, we have four seasons and twelve months of natural variety, which lends itself to unlimited exciting foods and flavors throughout the year. I like to keep food natural and simple using the best locally available ingredients.

  • 06
    What’s your favorite dish to cook or bake?

    I love to bake bread. I shared my sourdough starter with local cooks during the pandemic, when everyone wanted to bake sourdough bread. I also love all kinds of pastry and coming up with fresh meals using the ingredients found in my home garden.

  • 07
    What is your favorite restaurant in Syracuse?

    Saint Urban Wine Bar & Restaurant on Dell Street. The chef/owner of Saint Urban, Jared Stafford-Hill, and I used to work together in the ‘90’s. When he decided to open the restaurant, I offered my woodworking skills and created the tables, bar, and other woodwork in the restaurant. It’s an incredible feeling to see their extraordinary food served and enjoyed on my craftsmanship.

    A Mano Kitchen and Bar on Warren Street is my other favorite. The Fiacchi family is simply wonderful, and their food is delicious and comforting. I love it there!

  • Author

Jennifer DeMarchi

  • Recent
  • Chancellor Kent Syverud Honored as Distinguished Citizen of the Year at 57th Annual ScoutPower Event
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By News Staff
  • New Maymester Program Allows Student-Athletes to Develop ‘Democracy Playbook’
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By Wendy S. Loughlin
  • From Policy to Practice: How AI is Shaping the Future of Education
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By Christopher Munoz
  • Kohn, Wiklund, Wilmoth Named Distinguished Professors
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By Wendy S. Loughlin
  • Major League Soccer’s Meteoric Rise: From Underdog to Global Contender
    Wednesday, May 7, 2025, By Keith Kobland

More In Campus & Community

Chancellor Kent Syverud Honored as Distinguished Citizen of the Year at 57th Annual ScoutPower Event

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud was recognized by Scouting America, Longhouse Council, as the Distinguished Citizen of the Year at the organization’s 57th annual ScoutPower dinner. The annual fundraiser is one of the biggest scouting events in the nation and…

Kohn, Wiklund, Wilmoth Named Distinguished Professors

Three Syracuse University faculty members have been named Distinguished Professors, one of the University’s highest honors. The designation is granted by the Board of Trustees to faculty who have achieved exceptionally distinguished stature in their academic specialties. The newly named…

Syracuse Athletics Records Highest APR Score in 4 Years

Syracuse University Athletics continues to demonstrate its commitment to academic excellence, as shown in the latest release of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Academic Progress (APR) data. The University earned a single-year score of 989 (out of 1,000) for the…

SOURCE Enables School of Education Undergraduates to Research, Explore Profession

Through a research project funded by the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE), School of Education (SOE) seniors Denaysha Macklin ’25 and Emma Wareing ’25 are continuing research to investigate barriers women of color face in advancing…

Commencement 2025: What You Need to Know

It’s time to celebrate, Syracuse University Class of 2025! Bring your family and friends and join in all the excitement and pomp and circumstance during Commencement Weekend 2025. The University’s Commencement exercises will be held in the JMA Wireless Dome…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.