Chef Shuffle

Vetri Hires Joey Baldino as Chef de Cuisine

Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin
Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin Photo: Collin Keefe

Marc Vetri has brought one of his protégées, Joey Baldino back into the fold at his Center City flagship, Vetri, as chef de cuisine. Baldino, who started out at the restaurant as partner Jeff Benjamin’s intern while studying business at Temple University, will fill the void left by Brad Spence, who relocated to Amis when it opened earlier this year. “Joey’s a great kid,” Vetri told Grub Street. “He’s been a part of the family for 10 years.” Following his internship with Benjamin, Baldino worked first as a waiter and later in the kitchen at Vetri, before enrolling in the French Culinary Institute.

Following his studies there, Baldino returned to Vetri for three years, before jumping ship to work for Jose Garces at Amada. He returned to the Vetri family in 2007, accepting the sous chef position under Jeff Michaud at Osteria when it opened. After two years there, he traveled to Sicily where he worked at a varity of restaurants. After returning to Philly, Vetri tapped him to take the reins in his kitchen. “I’m very excited to back,” Baldino told Grub Street. “They have a great team in there now, and I am excited to join them in executing Marc’s vision.”

Vetri Hires Joey Baldino as Chef de Cuisine