The chef de cuisine of Crawford & Son and Jolie shares where he goes for quick meals, special dinners and more in the Raleigh area. For our 2025 Guide to Where to Eat and Drink in Raleigh, we surveyed 11 people in the hospitality industry to learn where they go for a casual meal, celebration dinner, coffee fix and more. One of them was Aaron Salita, the chef de cuisine of Crawford & Son an Jolie. Formerly of the fabled Thomas Keller Restaurant Group in Yountville, CA, Salt joined Crawford & Son as chef de cuisine of 2022, and in 2024 was promoted to lead both Crawford & Son and Jolie as chef de cuisine. Salita was chef de partie at the legendary French Laundry, sous chef at Keller’s Bouchon Bistro from 2015 to 2021, and the opening chef for Regiis Ova Caviar & Champagne Lounge from 2021-2022. In 2017, Salita also served on Team USA when they won their first gold at the Bocuse d’Or, a – the prestigious biennial world chef championship in Lyon, France, known as the “culinary Olympics.” No doubt, Salita is well positioned to lead the kitchens at Crawford’s flagship restaurant and French bistro.