Ken Oringer

Little Donkey

Ken Oringer is the James Beard Award-winning chef and 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 also partnered 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. In 2024, he opened Verveine Cafe & Bakery with Chef Monica Glass, which was named Best New Bakery in Boston by Eater. 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 Luc