Meet the Owners

They’re husband and wife, cook and hostess, mom and dad, Chef and owners. They met at a demanding, iconic restaurant in the heart of downtown Charleston. He was the Chef, she was the Assistant Manager and their paths were destined to become one.

Julia is the daughter of a fisherman and restaurateur. She grew up with sand between her toes, a mischievous sparkle in her eye, and a love for the Carolina coast. Stella’s is very much a product of her imagination, creativity, and childhood. A Johnson & Wales graduate, she’s managed restaurants big and small but prefers the dining room at Stella’s. She now spends much of her time with their daughters, Eleanor and Margaret and their yellow lab, Rigby.

Jason is a son of Louisville, KY. His mom was a successful caterer and he was soon at her side. She instilled in him the lessons of the kitchen; timeliness, efficiency of movement, and respect for the ingredients. He progressed through the kitchen ranks of Louisville, then Charleston and soon landed at the kitchen of Charleston’s most respected Chef, Frank Lee. Now at the helm of Stella’s he incorporates a lifetime of lessons in his daily work ethic.

Jason is a son of Louisville, KY. His mom was a successful caterer and he was soon at her side. She instilled in him the lessons of the kitchen; timeliness, efficiency of movement, and respect for the ingredients. He progressed through the kitchen ranks of Louisville, then Charleston and soon landed at the kitchen of Charleston’s most respected Chef, Frank Lee. Now at the helm of Stella’s he incorporates a lifetime of lessons in his daily work ethic.

She was our first love. A kind-hearted, loyal, and rambunctious Black Labrador that loved life, loved visitors, and us. Stella is no longer with us but she inspires us daily & she is represented in the spirit of the restaurant. We try to treat our customers with the same sort of qualities that Stella showed us; genuine affection, full of energy, lighthearted, and always happy to see a friend!

She’s known by her ebullient smile and bustling personality. She’s always on the go yet she breezes through our busiest nights with a grace worthy of ballroom impresario. Jeena is the face of Stella’s, the one everyone sees at the front podium, at their table, behind the bar or on the phone. Jeena stands ready to open a bottle of champagne, describe our latest Spanish red, or crunch numbers into a sales spread sheet. She’s just one of the reasons we are who we are and we’re so grateful for her. We hope you are, too.