I bring people together with seasonal New England ingredients, modern Mediterranean and Eastern European flavors, and classical French technique.

Joseph Henderek

I create innovative yet simple menus that bring people together

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to cook—I just didn’t always know it by name. My earliest memory is my paternal grandmother in her kitchen, and the joy I felt around the table. Those formative moments shaped my philosophy: food unites. You may not recall every detail of an important meal, but you remember exactly who you shared it with.

I describe my culinary point of view as innovative yet simple. I explore modern Mediterranean and Eastern European flavors grounded in my Classical French training, working with the freshest seasonal ingredients, fresh herbs, artisanal components, and local seafood across New England. I take pride in creating dishes that are uniquely mine. I serve Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, and I am a member of the United States Personal Chef Association, with ServSafe and Allergen Awareness certifications.

Let’s plan your menu

Cooking is my way to bring people together. In everyone's life there is one common factor: we all need to eat.

What defines my cooking

I cook to unite people

Cooking is my way to bring people together. In everyone's life there is one common factor: we all need to eat—and I turn that simple truth into meaningful moments at the table.

I built a classical foundation in New York City

I trained at The Institute of Culinary Education (formerly The French Culinary Institute) in New York City, building a strong classical foundation that supports my modern, seasonal approach.

Preparation and detail guide my kitchen

I rely on thorough preparation, meticulous attention to detail, and a constant desire to bring people together—principles that shape every menu I design.

Chef Joseph’s Signature Menus

I offer curated menus that highlight seasonal New England ingredients and modern Mediterranean and Eastern European influences, anchored in classical French technique. Choose one of my signature menus or ask me to tailor a menu to your event.

Request a custom menu

What my clients say

Amazing experience. Joe and his team was punctual and very professional. They accommodated the palates of our little ones and for the adults the dishes were on point. Would definitely recommend Joe for any event.

Amir Patel

We had the best experience with Chef Joe! He cooked an incredible dinner for our mother/daughter girls night at an air bnb in Hudson, NY. We started with a fresh frisée salad with lardons, followed by duck and brussels sprouts that were absolute perfection (and very unique and so delicious in how they were prepared), and ended the meal with the most delicious lemon crème brûlée (he told us the lemons were fresh from Italy!). Everything was restaurant-quality (honestly, even better), and he made the whole evening so much fun. He’s personable, funny, and made us feel totally comfortable hanging out in the kitchen with him while he cooked. It felt like having an extremely talented friend over who just happens to be an amazing chef. Couldn’t recommend him more!

Skylar Norris

Chef Joe was absolutely wonderful! He was communicative and punctual, he set a beautiful tablescape for us, and prepared the food swiftly. Each dish was beautifully presented and just as delicious. He also chimed in with anecdotes and stories - he's very friendly, but not disruptive. And he worked around many dietary/allergy needs of my group. He also left the kitchen in pristine condition - it was all a breeze. It was a very special night, and I would definitely recommend Chef Joe!

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Chef Joe was the absolute best. Super funny and attentive. Incredible service. Thank you so much for cooking for us on our girls weekend

Toska D Schieding

Amazing experience with Chef Joe!! The perfect Saturday night for our bachelorette party. The dinner was incredible, and he was so engaging—we absolutely loved him and had the best time! 10/10 recommend

Lauren Varrone

Joe was absolutely spectacular in every way. We were a party of 12 (2 with allergies) for an intimate, elegant dinner. Joe was responsive to my pre-planning emails, provided thoughtful insight on the menu, arrived promptly, handled every aspect of the meal prep, service and clean-up, and delighted our guests with his beautiful descriptions of each dish. Plating was stunning and the food was absolutely spectacular. I cannot say enough good things about Joe. We will DEFINITELY use him again!

Heather Benveniste

Chef Joe and Leandra were outstanding! They helped elevate an evening at a bachelorette weekend, matched our fun energy, and provided delicious food from app to dessert. Thank you for making the evening so special!

Karlene Cudak

I hired Chef Joe to come to an Airbnb where my wife and I were celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary. Despite having a somewhat limited kitchen, Chef Joe delivered an incredible meal. All the food was exceptionally flavorful and fresh, and the steak was cooked perfectly. 10/10

Jason Stauffer

Our evening with Chef was truly exceptional and became the highlight of our trip. When our schedule unexpectedly shifted, he demonstrated remarkable flexibility, accommodating our timing changes without any stress. The culinary journey he created was nothing short of spectacular. His brussels sprout and kale salad with gala apple and pumpernickel croutons offered the perfect balance of textures and flavors to start the meal. The braised beet risotto was a visual and taste sensation, with the crumbled goat cheese and crispy onion providing delightful contrast. What elevated the experience beyond just excellent food was Chef's passionate storytelling behind each dish, sharing the inspiration and techniques that made everything special. The 24-hour braised short rib was fall-apart tender, complemented perfectly by the silky Yukon potato puree and port demi-glace. But the true showstopper was his tiramisu-inspired espresso mousse cake - a dessert so outrageously good it left us speechless. The delicate foam topping demonstrated the attention to detail. Chef didn't just prepare a meal; he created an unforgettable culinary experience that became the most memorable part of our entire trip. His combination of technical excellence, storytelling ability, and flexibility makes him an exceptional private chef whom I cannot recommend highly enough.

Harries Filoteo

We had a great experience with Chef Joe! He created a brunch menu for a weekend bachelorette! It was delicious and a great touch to the weekend

Angela Caputo