02/22/2025
Introducing Juan & Patricia!
Chef Juan grew up in Honduras where he found a love of cooking at a young age and began working in restaurants at 13 years old. After immigrating to the US, 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 NYC, 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.
Patricia Ryan 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. 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.
