From there - New Orleans to here - running a virtual cooking class getting 5 star reviews and being written up by the Food Network and Avenue Magazine…well that’s a story to tell for sure, but here are the highlights.

Cultural Melting Pot

Joseph Bagnerise a.k.a. Chef Joey, grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana and found a love for cooking in his home town filled with exhilarating sites sounds and smells of the world renowned food scene. Raised by his Aunty “Ma” and his father, a librarian, he grew to be a consummate reader and is constantly learning. That is how he built his career - learning by doing. The calling is in the family as his brother Charles is a chef with Amtrack on the train running across the country.

Why Canada

His career took him to the corners of North America working in a variety of positions in the U.S and Canada, managing and cooking at restaurants and Bistros. But the most significant shift came when he met Peter Boyd CEO of Arcis. Boyd wanted to create a Google-like environment and he hand-picked Joseph (2005) off the Salmon Seeker in the Queen Charlotte Islands where they met. He invited Joseph to come to Calgary to create a corporate culture that integrated the Cafe into the fabric of the company. They were awarded many accolades including winning Calgary Inc.’s Best Place to Work award. Peter became a mentor and friend. Joseph misses him greatly but feels his spirit with him often.

Why Chef Joey

Joseph was recruited over to Matrix Environmental Solutions in 2015 where he served daily his 150 employees. When the staff were all required to work from home due to COVID, they closed the Bistro. He took this opportunity to get out of his comfort zone and try something new so he set up a “studio” in his kitchen. He had lots of support from family and friends who helped get the word out and figure out including friends Roth and Ramberg who helped out by creating the promo video!

He wants to take some of the inspiration he had experienced throughout his career and share it with everyday home cooks and even some that are new to cooking.

We are so proud of what we’ve created with our company and the word is getting out. Here are just a couple of articles we are proud to be associated with.

Avenue Magazine Calgary

Food Network Canada

The Best Calgary

More About Joey

Joseph/Joey/Joe currently lives with his partner in Calgary Alberta Canada and has three grown children living in Amsterdam, California and Calgary. Now a grandpa!

Joseph is a practicing Buddhist and has always drawn strength from his practice and the community.

When he has time he loves to play guitar with a few favourite artists.

Now enough about “me” lets talk about you!