When COVID-19 struck, Chef Joseph A. Lerner, affectionately known as Chef Joe, faced an unprecedented challenge. As the head chef at Desert Ridge Marriott, he managed a multimillion-dollar operation employing over 50 people. But as the pandemic brought the resort business to a standstill, Chef Joe found himself furloughed.

Rather than succumbing to the circumstances, Chef Joe turned to social media platforms like Scottsdale Living. With resilience and culinary passion, he launched Curate Cuisine, offering exceptional personal dining experiences to individuals and companies across Scottsdale and Phoenix. His reputation for crafting exquisite meals quickly grew, leading to a flourishing private chef business.

Building on this success, Chef Joe recently opened Curate Café in Grayhawk, North Scottsdale. This unique establishment offers a delightful array of curated dining options, daily specials, baked goods, and the finest in-house roasted coffee in town. Chef Joe’s unwavering commitment to excellence continues to captivate the community, as he expands his business through social media and word of mouth.

Chef Joe’s journey from furloughed chef to successful entrepreneur is an inspiring testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of community support. Curate Café stands as a beacon of his culinary brilliance and determination, serving as a gathering place for food lovers to enjoy the best of what Scottsdale has to offer.