New York Chef James Kent Leaves a Mark on LA With a Final Project at Santa Monica Pier

Chef James Kent on June 7, a week before he passed away due to a heart attack, standing at a press event for Snackville at the Santa Monica Pier.

On June 7, New York chef James Kent had just flown in to Los Angeles from the World’s 50 Best Restaurants events in Las Vegas to oversee the opening of Snackville, a series of food stands just outside the Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park amusement park. He was a little tired, and also disappointed that the rumored 50 Best Restaurants in North America wasn’t announced during the festivities in Vegas. Still, he arrived on that overcast Friday morning to ensure the smash burgers, fries, and frozen fruit drinks offered at the pier’s newest dining destination would be served to his standards. Kent, owner of Manhattan’s Michelin-starred restaurants Crown Shy and Saga, as well as acclaimed cocktail lounge Overstory, was overseeing what would eventually be his last restaurant opening.

Nine days later, Eater New York reported that the 45-year-old Kent had died, and later confirmed a heart attack as the cause of death. (Kent last posted to his Instagram Stories hours before his death was reported, sharing scenes from Snackville at Santa Monica Pier.) Restaurant folks from around the world memorialized Kent on social media, speaking about his positive impact on the industry as an advocate for mental health, and, for those who worked with or under him, recalling his gentle approach to kitchen mentorship.

That Kent was involved at all in this casual theme park in Santa Monica is noteworthy. His company Saga Hospitality Group was partnered with SC Holdings, which had recently acquired Pacific Park in early 2024. The partnership offered an opportunity for Kent to introduce five new stands on the pier, which include Smashie’s Burgers, Mr. Nice Fry, Churrita Churro, Scoops Creamery, and Cosmic Funnel Cake.

Outside Smashie’s Burgers at Snackville.

Mr. Nice Fry stand at Snackville.

Smashie’s slings griddled cheeseburgers with grilled onions and a creamy sauce. Mr. Nice Fry serves three different kind of fried spuds, including skinny, curled, and pinwheel, topped with melted mozzarella cheese or served with dipping sauces. Churrita Churro sells stuffed cinnamon-sprinkled fritters and soft serve, while Scoops Creamery (no relation to the established LA ice cream shop) offers Lappert’s ice cream by the scoop and theme park favorite Dippin’ Dots. Cosmic Funnel Cake, which draws the longest lines, serves big plates of fried dough covered with powdered sugar, strawberries, whipped cream, and ice cream. In addition, Arizona’s Eegee’s serves various frozen fruit drinks resembling Italian ices from inside Mr. Nice Fry.

Kent, whose full name is Jamal James Kent, adopted his middle name for professional use in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001, a decision he described in a 2022 Eater video. The chef, who grew up in an Islamic household, said he was concerned that Islamophobia would affect his ability to get jobs. Kent’s career spanned decades, starting with David Bouley and eventually at fine dining institutions Babbo, Jean-George, Eleven Madison Park, and finally NoMad, where he was the executive chef. In 2019, he opened Crown Shy to wide acclaim and followed up with Saga in 2021, which earned two Michelin stars. This past season’s Top Chef winner Danny Garcia, who had been employed by Saga, will take on the role of lead chef at the group’s soon-to-open New York restaurant Time and Tide.

For now, the fine dining chef’s last effort is on display at Snackville, which serves affordable theme park fare to the delight of thousands of visitors at one of Southern California’s busiest attractions.

Snackville is open daily at Santa Monica Pier, 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA, 90401. Hours vary for each restaurant, but the park is generally open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. through the summer.

Double smashburger from Smashie’s with fries.