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 Toro?
Croqetas de Bacalao
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 Toro?
Croqetas de Bacalao
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
How’d you start at JK Food Group? I started as a Line Cook at Toro in 2014
Favorite menu item? bone marrow
What do you like to do outside of work? Go to concerts, try new restaurants & go to the beach!
Dave Wilby | Executive Sous Chef
Where are you from? Manchester, CT
How’d you start at JK Food Group? I started at Toro in 2018 as a lunch line cook.
Favorite menu item? Pan con tomate with anchovies or the bone marrow
What do you like to do outside of work? I like to walk around Boston and find new places to eat!
Donny Williams | Sous Chef
Where are you from? Morrisville, PA
How’d you start at JK Food Group? I started at Toro in 2022 as a Line Cook
Favorite menu item? Setas y huevo
What do you like to do outside of work? I love playing board games and listening to records with my wife
Bonnie Nag | General Manager
Where are you from? Born in India and raised in Southern California
How’d you start at JK Food Group? I started as a server at Toro in 2019
Favorite menu item? PORRONS BABY!
What do you like to do outside of work? Snuggle with my dog Tini
Past industry jobs: Tremont 647, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Trina’s Starlite Lounge
Jonathan Benforado | Floor Manager
Where are you from? Fort Myers Florida and have been in Boston since 2011
How’d you start at JK Food Group? I started at Toro in 2024 as the floor manager.
Favorite menu item? Octopus or foie gras
What do you like to do outside of work? In my free time I like to eat, drink, go to concerts, baseball games or play some video games.
Brooke Elmore | Marketing 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.
Favorite menu item? Always the paella, ALWAYS!
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….