Jim Solomon is the Founder of Shack with the Chef. Mr. Solomon explores hidden gems in New England, Miami, and wherever he travels. Celebrating small independents, and family-owned businesses, he primarily highlights those fabulous restaurants which do not always benefit from the publicity they deserve or are best known only in their own neighborhoods. 
Occasionally, Jim does also spotlight some especially exceptional, well-known restaurants, that Jim wants you to know about. 
Jim is best known for being Chef/Owner of The Fireplace, formerly located on Beacon Street, in Brookline, Massachusetts (2001 – 2017) , a sophisticated ‘New England Grill’ celebrating the bounty of the region and its Colonial influences.  The restaurant gained a reputation buying from local farmers and fisherman, from the six New England states., serving only what was fresh and in season.  
In addition to being the 1st Certified Green Restaurant in Boston, the restaurant won numerous awards and mentions including Outstanding Wine List (Wine Spectator), Chocolate Madness Winner – (Pastry Pleasure), People’s Choice Best Burger in Boston (Boston Magazine), Boston’s Top 10 Breakfasts – (City Search), Best in Show & People’s Choice Winner, and Boston Lamb Jam – (American Lamb Board), People’s Choice  (Boston Taste of Elegance - National Pork Board), Greenest of Them All (Boston Globe), Most Romantic in Boston (Top of the Heights), Best Neighborhood Brunch (Boston Magazine, Best Places to Kiss (Boston.com) & Most Authentic New England Cuisine in Boston (Boston Globe) and Coziest Restaurant (Boston Magazine) amongst many others.
Prior to a tremendously successful sixteen years owning and operating The Fireplace, Jim earned an MBA at The University of Michigan and worked with some of the country’s finest chefs including Paul Prudhomme (K-Paul’s), Thomas Keller (Bouchon/The French Laundry) and Todd English (Figs/Olives). 
As Boston’s first ‘Certified Green’ restaurant (Green Restaurant Association) The Fireplace was widely recognized for playing a vital role in raising awareness of local environmental issues.  In honor of his efforts, Jim was named to the Board of Directors for Boston Green Tourism, which works to help other Boston restaurants and hotels earn ‘green certification’.  Jim was additionally sworn-in to the Brookline Selectman’s Climate Action Committee.  He was one of the founders of the Brookline Green Expo, Brookline Winter Farmers’ Market and Brookline Local First.   
In Brookline, and the restaurant’s Washington Square neighborhood, Jim served as Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Brookline Chamber of Commerce and was a founding Steering Committee member of Brookline Local First.  Jim spent years donating his services for live auctions, as dinners in private homes for numerous causes and hospitals in Metropolitan Boston.
Jim also contributes his culinary talents and time to the arts.  Amongst other organizations Jim is in his fifteenth year on the Board of Directors of The Terezin Music Foundation (TMF) to preserve the music and memory of works composed in WW2 concentration camps.             Today, with his sister & brother, Jim co-owns the Colorado Rockies Double A Minor League Baseball Team, the Hartford Yard Goats. 
Instagram: @shackwiththechef
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Music provided by the great INTOISHUN. You can listen to more of his work on Bandcamp and Spotify.

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