Kevin spent his college years as a manager in a busy retail setting. 15 years before starting The Corner Kitchen, he worked in corporate operations and management roles, including a position for one of the largest for-profit home care agencies in the country and running an internal Information Technology support structure that took calls from all 50 states.
Customer service and guest experiences are primary on his list of concerns. Kevin has always been dedicated to making the total experience in our restaurants resoundingly positive for our guests, employees and owners.
Kevin met Joe via their sons, both named Matthew, through what is now known as the YMCA Adventure Guides program. A crazy idea to start a restaurant was born, and the rest is history. Since then, Corner Kitchen and Chestnut have been intertwined with the lives of both families, giving real weight to the words ‘family business.’
Service to the community is important to both Kevin and co-owner Joe Scully. When he’s not at one of the restaurants helping solve IT issues (some things never change), he works with the boards of Eliada, the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association, and the UNC Asheville Foundation.
Joe started working in restaurants in 1977, his first job as a host in the busy Houlihan’s Old Place in Hackensack, New Jersey. In 1987, he began study at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.
After graduation Joe was given a fellowship at The Culinary Institute’s Escoffier Room Restaurant before becoming the Executive Sous Chef at the prestigious Cherokee Town and Country Club.
In the following years leading up to opening The Corner Kitchen, Joe held Executive Chef positions at Indigo Coastal Grill, The Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta, and the United Nations in New York City.
Joe met Kevin via their sons, both named Matthew, and a crazy idea to start a restaurant was born, and they purchased the former location of Hathaway’s Cafe at the very beginning of Asheville’s culinary renaissance. The rest is history.
Joe describes his partnership with Kevin like this: “Kevin is an anchor to me. He is steady, conservative, loving and intelligent. We have worked together the better part of 19 years and I can honestly say I have no regrets.”
Vanessa was born and raised on the island of Malta by German and Dutch parents. Malta, like Asheville, has a strong tourism industry, which was Vanessa’s work foundation until college. Upon graduation, Vanessa became a fundraiser and worked in nonprofits for 15 years.
In 2014, Vanessa married into the restaurant business after meeting co-owner Joe Scully, and has since learned all aspects of the business from HR to marketing to accounting, and is recently the acting COO as Joe and Kevin slowly make their way towards retirement.
Vanessa has two grown step-children (from Joe), Matthew and Genevieve. Matthew is a part owner of local pizza joint Del Vecchios, and Genevieve lives in Seattle working as a marketing guru. Joe and Vanessa have a nearly 5 year old who keeps them on their P’s and Q’s! While not at work (but always working!), Vanessa enjoys spending time with Joe and Frankie outside, swimming, or adventuring, and indulging in the amazing selection of food and wine that WNC has to offer.
Sarah grew up in New Jersey, where she spent many summers and weekends working in her family’s deli, washing dishes and helping her dad with catering events. Her foundation for hospitality was established at a young age, and although she’s learned from many over the years, she owes a lot to her parents. Her restaurant management career started in Orlando, Florida, where she specialized in training programs and staff development.
Sarah found her passion in wine and beverages, and started building her skillset in that department. She received her WSET Level 2 through Slate Wine Academy, taught by Master of Wine Jean K. Reilly. After many setbacks due to COVID-19, she was able to sit for her Level 2 Court of Sommeliers exam and passed. As a Certified Sommelier, Sarah applies her knowledge by empowering her staff to interpret wine intelligently, and appreciates connecting with guests to find a wine they will enjoy.
Sarah moved to Asheville in June of 2021, and has been a part of the Corner Kitchen team ever since. She appreciates being a small part of the history of this house and the company Joe and Kevin built together. In her spare time, she likes to support local restaurants, do jigsaw puzzles, and go on adventures with her husband Chris and their cat Cinnamon Raisin.
Paul grew up in Charleston, SC, where he spent his adolescence on the water with friends going fishing, crabbing, and shrimping. Starting in the dish pit in high school, he quickly became a line cook.
Working at a small Italian restaurant he found his love of making fresh pasta and learned the art of cheese making. Living in the lowcountry, the access to unique local food and West African influences inspired the way he cooks today.
A native of Asheville, NC, Patrick has worked in restaurants since 1999. He's been a host, busser, server, bartender, bar manager, dishwasher, line cook, prep cook, and now AGM.
Collin is from Durham, North Carolina. He grew up watching cooking shows like Chef’s Table and spent a lot of time in the kitchen cooking dinner with his mom and helping with big family events like Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s where his love of food really took root.
He attended UNCA for two years before deciding to pursue cooking full-time when COVID hit. Collin started out washing dishes at Tupelo Honey and, within two years, had worked his way through every station on the line and was promoted to sous chef.
What he loves most about cooking is slipping into that flow state, being completely focused and turning that energy into action.
Outside of work, Collin enjoys disc golf, ping pong, and going to see live music. He has a tabby cat named Bean, is a Libra, and would love to one day travel to the Amazon Rainforest.
