Chef Justin Chacon was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he grew up doing what all Louisiana Cajun boys do – crabbing, fishing, and enjoying home-style Cajun food for every meal.  He was raised by Cajuns; his father was a butcher at Arcadia Foods and his mother was a registered nurse, who, in true Cajun-style, “threw everything in a pot and called it jambalaya”.  In the eighth grade Chacon signed up for a Foods course at his junior high school – to meet girls.  His plan back fired when all the girls decided to take shop class instead, and Chacon was able to focus on the actual course developing an interest in the culinary arts. 

Chacon later attended Delgado Community College to further develop his culinary skills logging more than 6000 hours of hands-on training in four years.  While attending culinary school, he participated in several apprenticeships with chefs Emeril Lagasse, Paul Perdone, and Andre Ledoux.  Chacon graduated in 1989 receiving an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science and Culinary Arts. 

At the young age of 29, Chacon opened his own restaurant called Justin’s Ragin’ Cajun, located in Phoenix, Arizona. Justin’s Ragin Cajun was one of the premier Cajun restaurants in the Valley winning numerous awards from Best Cajun Restaurant in 2001 to Best Gumbo three years in a row by the New Times.  The restaurant was also awarded Best Cajun-Creole by the Arizona Republic and was named among the Top 200 Restaurants in Arizona in 1997. 

Most recently Chacon launched Sutra Sushi where he created a hip yet accessible sushi and hot food menu. Prior to this he was Executive Chef of Hammerhead Jacks Boardwalk Grill Desert Beach Bar in Cave Creek, Arizona just after serving as the Executive Hot Food Chef for Blue Wasabi, a Japanese fusion restaurant.  Over the course of his career Chacon has worked for some of the Valley’s hottest restaurants, hotels and notable chefs including Chef Paul Hushek of the Pointe Hilton Resort, Chef RoxSand Scocos of RoxSand, and Chef Eric DiStefano of Luc’s. 

With tremendous experience under his belt Chacon will once again take the reins launching a new dining and nightlife concept, Lyte Lounge and Bistro in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Teaming up with Jason Slocum and Robert W. Burghart of JB Entertainment, Chacon will have full creative direction over the menu.  Lyte’s menu will feature tapas-style cuisine with an emphasis on being light and healthy while maintaining Chacon’s passion for imaginative food pairings.

Chacon has taught cooking classes on the differences between Cajun and Creole cooking for Sur Le Table and Sweet Basils.  He has appeared on television on KSAZ Fox 10 and KTVK Channel 3, and was a guest on the Beth and Bill Show on 99.9 KEZ and Dial to Dine.  Among the people to enjoy Chacon’s Cajun cuisine are former President George H.W. Bush, Julia Childs, William Shatner, guitarist George Lynch, and the New Orleans Saints football team. 

Justin Chacon is an American Culinary Federation (ACF) certified Chef.  He resides in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Donna and number one fan and critic.