Chef Owner

Faccia a Faccia is owned & operated by James Beard Award-winning Chef Ken Oringer.

Ken Oringer is the James Beard Award-winning chef and co-founder of JK Food Group. Oringer owns and operates highly acclaimed restaurants around Boston including Italian-style enoteca Coppa [a three-star reviewed restaurant from The Boston Globe and named a “Best New Restaurant” by Esquire], Spanish tapas restaurant Toro, and the global-inspired small plates restaurant and raw bar Little Donkey. In 2022, Oringer opened Faccia a Faccia, a coastal Italian restaurant and his first new concept in six years. Oringer is also partnering with JK Food Group Beverage Director Jodie Battles to open Bar Pallino, a natural wine bar located downstairs from Faccia a Faccia. Prior to starting JK Food Group, Oringer opened Clio in Boston (now called Uni), which was named one of “America’s Best New Restaurants” by Esquire, one of the “Top 50 Restaurants in America” by Gourmet magazine, and continues to be one of the most notable restaurants in Boston. Oringer has received numerous awards and recognition for his work, including garnering the StarChefs Rising Stars Mentor Award in 2010 for his dedication to teaching and inspiring the next generation of chefs. When not working, Oringer enjoys spending time at home with his wife Celine and children Verveine and Luca.

MANAGING PARTNERS

KATY CHIRICHIELLO

Where are you from?
A Cutie small little town in New Hampshire

What year did you start at JK food group, and in what position?

2010 - server at Toro. I'm the dinosaur of the group. 

What is your favorite menu item at Faccia?
Squid ink trottole

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Spending time with my favorite people, nothing tops it! Also Lakes. Big lake gal. 

Fun Facts:
I wish I could be in charge of lighting everywhere. Passionate about a warm glow, will bring my own lightbulbs anywhere. 

Jodie Battles

Where are you from?
Cape Cod, MA!

What year did you start at JK food group, and in what position?

2013 as the General Manager of Toro

What is your favorite menu item at Faccia?
Squid ink trottole + BP special juice

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Spend time with my wife chasing around our two crazy little girls somewhere outside on the South Shore

Fun Facts:
I worked in hospitality in Charleston for almost a decade before coming back to New England to work with JKFG.

I have two dogs - moose and Gruner (like the wine ;)) 

Our Team

  • Thomas o'hara | chef de cuisine

    Where are you from?
    New Jersey

    What year did you start at JKFG, and in what position?
    I started in 2021 as a line cook at Coppa

    What is your favorite menu item at Faccia?
    Lobster maltagliati

    What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
    Snowboarding

  • nicole carrier | general manager

    Where are you from?
    Born and raised in Methuen, MA

    What year did you start at JKFG and in what position?
    General Manager of Faccia in 2025!

    What is your favorite menu item at Faccia?
    The Sicilian crudo

    What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?Going on adventures with my love and our dog.

  • tersillia valentini | assistant general manager

    Where are you from?
    I was born and raised right here in Boston, growing up in Dorchester and Robxury

    What year did you start at JKFG and in what position?
    I started with JKFG at Faccia in 2021 as a bartender!

    What is your favorite menu item at Faccia?
    My favorite menu item has always been the Squid Ink Trottole - pasta is life!

    What’ s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
    My favorite thing to do outside of work is to travel to hot sunny beaches and drink frozen Pina Coladas!

    Fun Facts:
    I feel like my journey in this industry has been a unique one and quite the ride - from working as a line cook, to running a food truck/catering company, to bartending in jazz clubs, and more! I wouldn't trade my experience for the world.

  • BROOKE ELMORE | DESIGN + MARKETING MANAGER

    Where are you from? The suburbs of Philadelphia…go birds!

    When did you start at JK Food Group? I started in 2022 as a social media intern while I was in college.

    What is your favorite menu item at Faccia?
    the mozzarella sticks, forever and always.

    What do you like to do outside of work?
    Reading, walking, or both at the same time. Also hanging with my fam + friends, preferably at the beach!

    Fun fact: I got this job by sliding into Chef Ken’s DMs….

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