Chef Jojo’s brings gourmet takeout to Bay Shore; grand opening is Oct. 2

Joanna Siegel says she could not have picked a better day for the grand opening of Chef Jojo’s Cookshop on Union Boulevard in Bay Shore.

For Oct. 2 already holds a special place in her heart. It’s her son Kris’ birthday.

So on the Wednesday that Kris turns 12 — and coincidentally the family boxer Bubba turns 1 — Siegel will officially christen her new culinary venture.

“It’s just very special that it’s worked out like this,” said Siegel, a longtime private chef who spent two decades preparing meals in Hamptons kitchens. “It’s a really special day. I have one child, so he’s my life. And part of doing this is for him.

“And I love this time of year, too, so everything’s just kind of fallen into place,” continued Siegel, who started planning for Chef Jojo’s back in 2022. “We have waited so long to be able [to open], so it seems like the timing is meant to be.”

Siegel signed a lease deal in 2022 for 1895 Union Blvd., inside the building that the Dynasty Café operated in for 34 years before it closed in 2018.

The executive chef told Greater Long Island that Chef Jojo’s Cookshop is a curated local market that will elevate the concept of prepared foods — by offering fresh, chef-made dishes alongside an upscale market selection. Siegel’s vision is to bring a new level of quality and convenience to the community, providing “slow” fast food that reaches far beyond typical takeout fare.

The main focus is to offer clean, local and fresh eating options for busy locals, she said.

Until it’s official grand opening on Wednesday, the shop will operate in a “soft opening” phase. This just means that “instead of having our weekly specials on top of the regular items, we’re just going to highlight the regular items,” Siegel said.

Nonetheless, Siegel did sneak in one special this week, in addition to “The Usual Suspects” menu: the Chef’s almost famous chicken scarp and baked pasta.

The soft opening continues through Sunday, before the shop closes on Monday and Tuesday, as the kitchen crew gears up for the big day. The two days will allow Siegel and her team, she said, to make final preparations, ensuring everything is perfect for Wednesday’s launch.

Chef Jojo’s weekly menu features Italian Wedding Soup, filled with homemade mini beef meatballs, soup veggies and pastina; a Chopped Italian Sub Salad; Roasted Chicken Wings; a Grilled Vegetables dish and Chef’s Meatballs and Tomato Ragu. For dessert, there’s a Banana Bread and a variety of fresh baked cookies.

The opening week specials choices include Beef Short Ribs, Zucchini Pasta, Spinach Artichoke and Crab Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp, and slow-braised Beef Short Ribs (in a red wine and root vegetable reduction).

Chef Jojo’s will be open six days each week, only closing on Tuesdays. On Mondays and from Wednesday to Saturday, the market will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday hours are from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

_{Photos: Melissa Guschel}