The food industry is among the select sectors that are dominated by family-owned businesses, which is not surprising, considering that food has almost always been associated with the concepts of family and intimate relationships. Marked by their emphasis on tradition, these ventures have risen through the ranks because they hold close to the heart the values that families prioritize above anything else, regardless of where they are in the world. One such company that has secured a coveted spot at the top and earned the loyalty of countless customers is The Maggiore Group, an Arizona-based powerhouse led by renowned chef Joey Maggiore.
The executive chef and the brains behind The Maggiore Group, an Italian-American family-owned company, Joey Maggiore developed his chops for cooking at an early age. To this date, he continues to draw inspiration from his late father Tomaso, whose own Italian restaurant was launched in 1977 and served not only as a training ground for Joey but also became instrumental in igniting the heir’s passion for cooking.
Eventually, fueled by a deep-seated love for everything culinary, Joey joined forces with his wife Christina and partnered with Flora Tersigni to establish The Maggiore Group. Since its creation, the award-winning and nationally-recognized company has designed and operated high-quality, creative culinary concepts across Arizona, managing restaurants that provide superior customer service and forward-thinking cuisine.
So far, Joey Maggiore and his team have conceptualized several successful brands in Phoenix, from fine Italian dining to creative ‘brunchery’. As the ‘Concept King’, the well-respected chef acts as the mind behind a long list of notable startups, including the Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, The Sicilian Baker, and The Mexicano.
Home of the original build-your-own Bloody Mary Bar, the Hash Kitchen offers chef-driven, re-imagined brunch fare that is made all the more impressive by its eater-tainment. Meanwhile, The Mexicano, Joey Maggiore’s newest brainchild, boasts experiential food like a three-foot quesadilla, sizzling molcajetes, lava rock fajitas, and a variety of street tacos. It also features cocktail carts, rotating DJs, and the country’s first-ever build-your-own margarita bar.
In all of the concepts that Joey Maggiore has launched, it is clear that the chef manages to balance his father’s authentic Italian cuisine and his innovative takes on all-time favorite dishes. It is this expert incorporation of the new into the old that allowed the acclaimed restauranter to gain acclaim and build a portfolio of over 40 restaurants.
It goes without saying that the task of overseeing and directing these leading businesses would’ve been a herculean task for anyone else. However, Joey Maggiore balances these and more with the grace of a man who has been in the business since the start and has seen it all. Perhaps it has never been a secret – his key to success – when it is through conscious effort and challenging oneself that we move from complacency to pass through the eye of every storm.
The recipient of the Foodist Awards Top Chef recognition, Joey Maggiore has graced numerous publications, such as Phoenix Magazine, Thrillist, USA Today, and Forbes. Additionally, he has appeared on Food Network, Travel Channel, FOX 10 News, ABC 15 News, NBC’s 12 News, 3TV/Arizona’s Family, and his own show on Food Network: Family Style.
Under Joey’s leadership and through the commitment of his team to keeping the tradition and taste alive, The Maggiore Group remains in the limelight, mentioned in numerous lists, including ‘Most Signature Dishes of Phoenix’, ‘Best Italian Restaurants in Phoenix’, ‘The Best Pasta Dishes of the U.S.’, and ‘The Best Foodie Families of Phoenix’.