Chef Justo's Table
Gather round for an eye popping view of the stunning meals from Chef Justo! His delicious appetizers and entrees are a highlight of every Boxwood event and with that exciting news awaits!
We are delighted to announce that our outside catering services will now extend beyond the boundaries of our beloved Boxwood properties. What's more, a dedicated catering website is in the works and will be launching soon!
Here at Boxwood Hospitality, we host monthly Supper Club tasting events for our clients. Chef Justo works tirelessly to ensure our couples leave confident their wedding meal will be one for the ages!
What do you love about food Chef Justo?
More than anything, I love what the French call “Plaisir de la table”----Direct translation, the pleasures of the table. There are so many ways to interpret this, but I choose to interpret it through the lens of genuine hospitality. My true love of food comes from the joining together of friends, colleagues, or even strangers. My most joyful memories have come over a bottle (or several) of wine and treats. I love food and cooking because it helps facilitate that joy for me (selfishly), and for others. In its purest form, it is able to transcend language, culture, or even prejudice.
Why did you choose to become a chef?
Honestly, I started out cooking professionally because I wasn’t dating enough in college. I thought that learning to cook might help my social life. I am so grateful that I found cooking, because it turned out that my brain just clicked when I was exposed to it. I had never felt more at peace than when I was chopping large piles of onions. Sometimes our life’s passions find us, and not the other way around.
Family style perfection featuring glazed heirloom carrots, braised greensand pickled stems, frisée, arugula, golden beets, toasted spiced pumpkin seeds, bavette with oven dried roma and rosemary sprigs bordelaise, whole Cornish Hen, charred lemon asparagus with hard boiled egg, and fresh thyme roast rosemary Yukon Gold potatoes.
What emotions do you want your meals to evoke?
Without a doubt I want my meals to pass through a filter of emotions that have nothing to do with my interpretation of the dish. If I have a style, it is showing our guests the flexibility that is built in by design to our menu structure. I hope that in choosing the right menu, for the right reasons, our guests will evoke those emotions on their own. I am only the facilitator.
What I look for emotionally in my own choices are a mixture of nostalgia and craving. I tend to gravitate to “spoon” dishes that force you to engage all of your senses at once. I look for the rarely attainable combination of the perfect soup at the perfect time, and the last crust of bread sopping up the last bit of sauce. When I find it, I am unable to contain my emotion.
Passed appetizers are one of Chef Justo’s many specialities!
Another delectable family style offering featuring thick cut ribeye with chimmichurri a half garlic crown and fresh thyme, a grilled romaine salad with toasted pecan and piperade, a shrimp skillet with paprika butter and tomato coulis and lemon confit, and Yukon Gold potato stacks with scallion and pesto.
Have you always had a passion for food?
I have always had a passion for what food has given me. Le Plaisir de la table, emotional longing, and true hospitality. I just didn’t know that it was food that was helping me with that until my 20’s.
The best buffet service in town!
Cheese anyone?
Where did your passion for food begin?
Although I went to culinary school in Austin, my true love affair with food didn’t begin until I moved to Brussels. There, I immersed myself into an unknown culture with minimal ability to communicate. Despite the harsh conditions, I was able to build self-confidence. During that time abroad, I fell in love for the first time, and I even received praise for my determination and dedication in the kitchen. I wasn’t going to allow all of the challenges to break me.
It was there that I learned that food mediocrity was not an acceptable result. That obsession turned to passion. Fast forward 21 years, and I feel very much the same.
Elevated entrees and options for fans of all cuisines!
We love seeing Chef Justo’s creativity and hospitality shine through in every dish he creates! If you have dined with us before, you know Boxwood Catering provides exceptional service and meals you’ll be reminiscing on for years to come.
Stay tuned for the grand unveiling of our catering website, where you'll discover a seamless and convenient way to indulge in Chef Justo's exquisite dishes. Whether it's a special occasion, corporate event, or a private gathering, our outside catering services will make every moment a truly memorable and flavorful experience. We cannot wait to provide even more clients with the expertise and excellence of Boxwood Catering at their next event!
Vendors:
Photographer - Monika Normand Photo
Photographer - Two Pair Photography
Photographer - Matt Henry Photo
Food Stylist - Stephanie Jo Greenwood
