River Twice welcomes chef Jacob Siwak of Forsythia for Christmas in July, July 25th
Though passionate about food, St. Louis-native Jacob Siwak moved to New York to pursue a career in film and advertising after college. In 2016, tired of pitch meetings, he enrolled in culinary school and landed his first industry job at Olmsted, working his way from busser to junior maître’d and later transitioning into the kitchen. In 2018, he joined SantoPalato, Chef Sarah Cicolini’s modern trattoria in Italy. Missing the warmth of Italian kitchens upon his return to New York, Siwak opened Forsythia in the Lower East Side in late 2020. The pasta-focused restaurant, known for clever takes on Italian classics and a deep commitment to staff and community, earned glowing praise from Adam Platt and a Bib Gourmand in 2021 and 2022. In 2025, Siwak was named a StarChefs Rising Star, recognized for his community impact.