Chef Justin Wills
Meet the Chef
From the other CIA
Chef Justin Wills
Chef Justin Wills is the co-owner and executive chef of Sorella Italian Restaurant in Nye Beach, Newport Oregon. Known for his disciplined approach to cooking and respect for traditional technique, Justin brings a thoughtful, ingredient-driven philosophy to the Oregon Coast.
At Sorella, his influence is evident in the restaurant’s focus on house-made pasta, breads, and gelato – food that is refined yet approachable, rooted in Italian tradition while shaped by the coastal environment.
Early Career and Culinary Training
Justin’s path into professional cooking began with a strong foundation in classical technique. He attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, enrolling in 1995 and graduating in 1997. During his studies, he completed an internship at Grappa Restaurant in Park City, Utah, gaining experience in a high-level, demanding kitchen environment.
This formal training instilled a respect for process, consistency, and fundamentals – principles that continue to guide his cooking today.
Cooking in Oregon
After completing his culinary education, Justin moved west, drawn to Oregon’s ingredients and evolving food culture. His early work in the state included time with Pelican Brewing, where he further developed a style centered on seasonality, simplicity, and local sourcing.
The Oregon Coast would ultimately become the setting where his cooking philosophy fully took shape – allowing regional products and the natural rhythm of the seasons to influence the menu.
Restaurant Beck
In 2009, Justin opened Restaurant Beck in Depoe Bay, Oregon. The restaurant quickly gained recognition as a destination for thoughtful, seasonal cuisine and a strong sense of place. Beck became known for its use of local seafood, produce, and foraged ingredients, as well as its disciplined execution.
Restaurant Beck earned national attention, including multiple James Beard Award semifinalist nominations for Best Chef: Northwest and recognition from Food & Wine. The restaurant established Justin as a respected voice in Oregon’s culinary landscape.
Sorella Italian Restaurant
Sorella Italian Restaurant opened in Nye Beach, Newport Oregon, in 2015. The concept was driven by a desire to create a true Italian neighborhood restaurant on the Oregon Coast – welcoming, consistent, and grounded in technique.
At Sorella, Justin’s focus is clear: pasta made in-house, breads baked daily, and gelato prepared with balance and restraint. Each dish is designed to highlight texture, proportion, and flavor without excess.
Learn more about Sorella’s house-made pasta
Cooking Philosophy
Justin’s cooking philosophy centers on repetition, patience, and care. Pasta is shaped intentionally, sauces are built for balance, and desserts are designed to finish a meal cleanly rather than heavily.
More than technique, his approach emphasizes hospitality – creating food that feels both considered and comfortable. That philosophy continues to guide Sorella as a staple of Italian dining in Nye Beach and Newport Oregon.
Catering and Events
In addition to the restaurant, Justin oversees Sorella’s catering and private events program. Menus are tailored to the occasion while maintaining the same Italian-forward focus and attention to detail found in the dining room.