Patricia
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Chef Juan
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Patricia Ryan
Patricia was instrumental in creating and opening Just Friends Cafe. Her degree in finance and experience in the restaurant industry precedes her.
Having been involved at an early age in restaurants such as Coles Street Cafe, PJ Ryans, Michael Anthony’s, Cafe95, Latham House, and Emma’s, her restaurant experience is evident in opening, operating and managing this new venture.
Patricia’s goal is to make Just Friends Cafe a first class operation and hopefully expand her venture to other restaurants as well. Her vibrant personality challenges her to be the perfect owner / hostess of first class restaurants where she can provide restaurant goers with the most exciting, professional, clean, and diverse restaurant experience.
"Please stop by for a delicious meal and a chance to make some friends at our intimate Italian Rat Pack themed cafe!" Patricia Ryan.
Chef Juan
Chef Juan grew up in Honduras where he found a love of cooking at a young age and began working in restaurants at thirteen years old.
After immigrating to the United States, he began working in New York as a dishwasher and prepper, but his dream was to eventually open a restaurant of his own. Trying to gain as much experience as he could, he watched meticulously while the chefs were working, attempting to learn the recipes and how to plate the dishes. One day there was an opening as a line cook and he jumped at the opportunity.
From there he worked under various famous chefs, learning new recipes and techniques. He began working with Chef Chad Brown, who believed in him and made him his sous chef, and later with Chef Jeff Gebott, who promoted him to chef.
After that, he worked in several restaurants until Covid-19 caused the restaurant he was currently in to close. The pandemic hit the restaurant industry hard, making it difficult to find a job.
Eventually, he found Emma’s Restaurant in Journal Square Jersey City where he was Executive Chef until its closure in March of 2024. While doing some fill-in restaurant work in New York City, Juan assisted in the preparation of a new restaurant, Just Friends Cafe. After preparing for the opening of Just Friends Cafe, Juan is now the Executive Chef and Associate.
Now Chef Juan has created his first Italian-American menu with the help of the talented Russell Pope and is excited for this new journey with Just Friends Cafe.
Chef Russell Pope
I was trained by Chef David Taylor in Baldwinsville, NY. I spent three and a half years of training in a restaurant by the name of Muddy Waters; the cuisine was southern based BBQ as well as New Orleans style.
After a divorce and a need for change, I decided to travel to the New York City area to chef it up. After finding work in NYC at multiple restaurants, as soon as I felt I was making a name for myself, COVID happened. I worked at Dantes in the West Village, Heavens Kitchen on 22nd, and Charlie Bird in Soho. They all closed due to the pandemic.
Being a kitchen man, I couldn’t sit idle. I reached out to a friend for work of any kind. I wound up working for a gentleman named Mike Ryan installing fire alarm systems. Turned out he was also a restaurateur. When he brought his dream of Just Friends Cafe to my attention, I was instantly excited. I said I wanted in, and he was aware that I was a chef. I helped with construction work on the place for two years, getting the establishment up to par. In that time, I did some networking to find a good pasta supplier, as well as worked on coming up with a well formulated menu with Chef Juan, my sergeant in arms.
After all the work and time, here we are, and I'm ecstatic to see fruition. Mangia!!!!!!
Russell Pope is the chef for our Sunday Brunch. Join Russell for our “Sunday with the Pope” dining experience.
