2024 James Beard Foundation's "Best Chef" Award Semifinalists
At the heart of Joon Restaurant is the vision of founder Reza Farahani, who set out to create a one-of-a-kind fine dining destination that happens to be rooted in Persian culture. His passion for sharing Iran's rich cuisine in an atmosphere that reflects the country's renowned hospitality has come to life through an all-star team of chefs and hospitality professionals. The result is a restaurant that blends refinement, creativity, and tradition — recognized among the best restaurants in Tysons Corner and the Washington, DC area.
Joon's culinary team is led by Chef-Owner Chris Morgan, one of DC's most celebrated chefs, known for earning a Michelin Star at Maydān and for being a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist (including one for and Joon). Working alongside him is Executive Chef Najmieh Batmanglij, hailed by The Washington Post as the Grande Dame of Iranian Cooking and named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef (Mid-Atlantic) with Joon. Together, they have combined their expertise and passion to bring Iranian cuisine into the spotlight on the national stage.
Chef Chris Morgan, renowned for bold flavors and live-fire cooking, first met Najmieh in 2013 while attending her Persian cooking classes in Georgetown. That moment sparked a long-standing collaboration and a shared commitment to telling the story of Persian cuisine through food.
Known worldwide as the "godmother of Persian cooking," Najmieh Batmanglij has spent decades introducing Iran's flavors and traditions to new audiences. She is the award-winning author of several landmark cookbooks, including Food of Life, and is widely recognized as one of the foremost authorities on Persian culinary heritage.
Together, Najmieh and Chris bring a unique balance to Joon: her expertise in traditional recipes and cultural authenticity paired with his modern technique, Michelin-caliber creativity, and James Beard-recognized innovation. The result is a menu that celebrates the rich history of Iranian cuisine while offering a refined, approachable, and distinctly unique dining experience.