CHEF OWNER

Ken Oringer is the James Beard Award-winning chef and founder of JK Food Group. Oringer owns and operates highly acclaimed restaurants around Boston including Italian-style enoteca Coppa [a three-star reviewed restaurant from The Boston Globe and named a “Best New Restaurant” by Esquire], Spanish tapas restaurant Toro, and the global-inspired small plates restaurant and raw bar Little Donkey. In 2022, Oringer opened Faccia a Faccia, a coastal Italian restaurant and his first new concept in six years. Oringer is also partnering with JK Food Group Beverage Director Jodie Battles to open Bar Pallino, a natural wine bar located downstairs from Faccia a Faccia. Prior to starting JK Food Group, Oringer opened Clio in Boston (now called Uni), which was named one of “America’s Best New Restaurants” by Esquire, one of the “Top 50 Restaurants in America” by Gourmet magazine, and continues to be one of the most notable restaurants in Boston. Oringer has received numerous awards and recognition for his work, including garnering the StarChefs Rising Stars Mentor Award in 2010 for his dedication to teaching and inspiring the next generation of chefs. When not working, Oringer enjoys spending time at home with his wife Celine and children Verveine and Luca.

managing partners

KATY CHIRICHIELLO

Where are you from?
A Cutie small little town in New Hampshire

What year did you start at JK food group, and in what position?

2010 - server at Toro. I'm the dinosaur of the group. 

What is your favorite menu item at Little Donkey?
Oysters shucked by Eladio and caviar sando

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Spending time with my favorite people, nothing tops it! Also Lakes. Big lake gal. 

Fun Facts:
I wish I could be in charge of lighting everywhere. Passionate about a warm glow, will bring my own lightbulbs anywhere. 

Jodie Battles

Where are you from?
Cape Cod, MA!

What year did you start at JK food group, and in what position?

2013 as the General Manager of Toro

What is your favorite menu item at Little Donkey?
Caviar sando

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Spend time with my wife chasing around our two crazy little girls somewhere outside on the South Shore

Fun Facts:
I worked in hospitality in Charleston for almost a decade before coming back to New England to work with JKFG.

I have two dogs - moose and Gruner (like the wine ;)) 

Our Team

  • Darrell Boles | Executive chef

    Where are you from? King, North Carolina

    When did you start at JK Food Group? I started as a line cook at Toro in 2014.

    What’s your favorite menu item at Little Donkey? the ramen cacio e pepe or the seared scallop

    What do you like to do outside of work? I like to go to concerts, try new restaurants and go to the beach.

  • Jai Czeremcha | General manager

    Where are you from? West Springfield, MA

    When did you start at JK Food Group? I started as the Assistant General Manager at Toro in 2022.

    What’s your favorite menu item at Little Donkey? That's like asking which one of my pets is my favorite. Top 4- Manti, Cauliflower, Salmon Aguachile, Caviar Sandwich.

    What do you like to do outside of work? Spending time with my partner & animals and gardening.

    Fun facts: I have been called the “Mayor of Mass Ave” because I’ve worked in Central Square for so long. I was the manager at Miracle of Science for 14 years and prior to that, I was a training specialist at the Starbucks facility in Central Square. I also used to be a flight attendant!

  • Emanuel Rivera Santiago | Sous Chef

    Where are you from? Bayamón, Puerto Rico

    How’d you start at JK Food Group? I started at Toro as a line cook in 2022

    Favorite menu item? Hamachi ceviche, Bangkok street noodles and the branzino

    What do you like to do outside of work? Spend time with my kids, go out to eat, hike and go to the gym

    Fun facts: I have worked in kitchens since I was fourteen years old.

  • Brooke Elmore | Marketing + Design Manager

    Where are you from? The suburbs of Philadelphia…go birds!

    When did you start at JK Food Group? I started in 2022 as a social media intern while I was in college.

    What is your favorite dish at Little Donkey?
    the BLT lettuce wraps + the pumpkin fluff ice cream

    What do you like to do outside of work?
    Reading, walking, or both at the same time. Also hanging with my fam + friends, preferably at the beach!

    Fun fact: I got this job by sliding into Chef Ken’s DMs….