How would you summarize yourself? Here is my brief history!

Born and raised in Southern Maryland, Joseph grew up spending the summer in his family’s hometown of Wagener, South Carolina. He drew his inspiration for comfort food and casual dining from watching his aunts and grandmother cook. As he started his cooking career, he had a short stint at a culinary school and from that he got his first job at the local seafood spot, Blacksalt Fish Market and Restaurant, located in the Palisades of Northwest DC. From then on, he worked in a few kitchens throughout DC and learned from amazing chefs and local farmers. He also spent a few summers in Cape Cod working at Saltwater thanks to the help of mentor/chef, Frank Ruta, who he had been working under at Palena Restaurant. 
Eager to learn even more about the restaurant industry, Joseph picked up and moved to the west coast landing in San Francisco where he quickly secured a position working under Chef Judy Rogers and Chef Gilbert Pilgrim at the famous Zuni Cafe. Joseph spent 7 years honing his craft by working with numerous talented chefs and cooks and developing close relationships with vintners, farmers, and fishmongers.   
In 2016, Joseph decided to return to the DMV and started reconnecting with old friends and colleagues as well as expanding his network.  Shortly after arriving in the DMV, he started at Mirabelle Restaurant in downtown Washington and then Big Bear Cafe in Shaw.  In 2019, Joseph was diagnosed with cancer, and he had to pivot and focus on his health and wellbeing.  During that time, he took a job at Call Your Mother Deli which gave him the opportunity to slowly step back into work.