Elevated Kosher Catering
Chef-driven, strictly kosher cuisine for life's most important moments.
Private chef services, holiday programs, and bespoke event catering.
About the Chef
When the meal matters most, you want a chef tested at the highest level. Chef Joseph Festinger brings the same meticulous attention to your family's table that he brings to the most exclusive private events in the country.
From intimate Shabbat dinners to week-long Passover programs for 30+ guests, every plate is crafted with precision, care, and a deep respect for the traditions behind the food.
What We Offer
In-home cooking experiences for families who demand the finest. Weekly meal preparation, intimate dinner parties, or ongoing culinary support.
Multi-day kosher holiday programs for Passover, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah, and Shabbat. Complete culinary management from menu to service.
Weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, corporate events, and celebrations. Bespoke menus designed around your vision and dietary needs.
Learn culinary techniques from a chef who's cooked at the highest levels. Private lessons, group classes, and team-building events.
Culinary consulting for restaurants, venues, and food businesses. Custom menu creation, recipe development, and kitchen optimization.
Chef-prepared meals delivered to your home weekly. Customized for your family's dietary preferences, allergies, and taste.
Your Journey
Tell us your vision. We'll discuss your event, dietary needs, guest count, and style preferences.
A custom menu is crafted specifically for your event, balancing tradition with innovation.
We handle everything — sourcing, cooking, setup, and service. You focus on your guests.
Enjoy the moment. Every plate is served with precision, warmth, and care.
Our Work
Why Choose KoJoe
Trusted to prepare meals for the US President's family for four consecutive years. When discretion and excellence are non-negotiable.
Three consecutive years as NY Newsday Critics Favorite BBQ (2015-2017). Mainstream crossover appeal meets kosher excellence.
Over two decades of cooking for families across New York and Los Angeles. From intimate Shabbat dinners to 200-guest celebrations, every client receives our full attention.
Deeply rooted in Ashkenazi and Sephardic culinary traditions. Classic heimish cooking with modern refinement — the flavors your family knows and loves, elevated to their highest potential.
Italian, Asian, traditional wedding fare, and beyond — all prepared with Glatt-kosher meats and following strict kosher rules. World-class flavors from every culinary tradition, brought together under one kitchen.
Client Experiences
Chef Festinger doesn't just cook — he transforms an event. Our guests are still talking about the Passover program months later. The attention to detail, the flavors, the presentation — extraordinary.— Private Client, Los Angeles
We've hosted Shabbat dinners for years, but the evening Chef Joe prepared was on an entirely different level. It felt like dining at a world-class restaurant in our own home.— The R. Family, Great Neck, NY
From the initial consultation to the last course, every detail was handled with grace. Our bat mitzvah was flawless, and the food was the highlight of the evening.— Private Client, Manhattan
Common Questions
No. KoJoe is a private chef operation that follows strict kosher rules per each client's family specifications, but we are not certified by a hashgacha or any kashrus-supervising agency. Clients who require formal hashgacha supervision should engage a certified caterer instead. We are happy to work alongside a mashgiach the client provides.
Glatt Kosher is the highest standard of kosher meat preparation. It means the animal's lungs were found to be smooth and free of adhesions upon inspection. All meat and poultry we source comes from suppliers that meet this standard. Our kitchen rigorously follows kosher laws per each client's family specifications, though our operation is not under formal rabbinical supervision.
For holiday programs (Passover, Sukkot, etc.), we recommend booking 2-3 months in advance as these dates fill quickly. For private dinners and events, 3-4 weeks is typically sufficient. For large weddings or corporate events, the more lead time the better — ideally 2-3 months.
Absolutely. While we're based in Long Island, NY, we regularly cook in Los Angeles, Orlando, Miami, Vail (Colorado), New Jersey, Monroe, Monsey, and Arizona. We travel nationwide for multi-day programs and special events. Travel and accommodation are arranged as part of the event planning process.
Yes, dietary accommodations are central to what we do. Beyond kosher compliance, we regularly handle gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and other dietary requirements. Every guest's needs are discussed during the consultation and accounted for in menu design.
Our holiday programs are fully turnkey. This includes menu planning for all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks), ingredient sourcing from kosher-certified suppliers, kosher preparation following each client's family specifications, cooking, plating, serving, and cleanup. We handle every detail so you can focus entirely on your family and guests.
Every event is unique, so pricing is customized based on guest count, menu complexity, duration, and location. After our initial consultation, you'll receive a detailed proposal with transparent pricing. There are no hidden fees.
Yes. For larger events, we coordinate full front-of-house service including servers, bartenders, and service staff. We can also arrange rentals for china, glassware, linens, and tableware. For intimate dinners, Chef Joseph handles everything personally.
For larger events such as weddings and multi-day programs, we offer private tasting sessions. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the quality firsthand and finalize your menu selections. Tasting details are discussed during the consultation.
Secure Your Date
Ready to move forward? Fill out the details below and pay a refundable deposit to lock in your date. We'll follow up within 24 hours with a personalized menu proposal.
Let's Create Something Special
Every great event starts with a conversation. Tell us about your vision, and we'll craft a culinary experience that exceeds your expectations.