OUR TEAM
PHIL BARONE
OWNER & FOUNDER
Owner Phil Barone, has combined his drive-to-succeed attitude with his prized traditional Italian recipes to create the Rosie’s Italian Grille empire that we know and love today. Phil understands that the key to a successful restaurant is making both guests and employees feel like their part of the Rosie’s Italian Grille family. He doesn’t just hire great people; he also treats them great. Barone is a man of many talents. When he is not sharing his wealth of wine knowledge or cheering on his children at a sporting event you can find him wowing crowds with his impressions of Doors front man Jim Morrison. Rock-and-Roll holds a special place in Barone’s heart and his love of music is emulated in the live music often available in the Rosie’s Italian Grille lounge area. Although he may have technically retired the leather pants and spot-on Morrison costume after 13 years of performing with the Maxx Band at Put-in-Bay’s Crescent Tavern, occasionally, he will come out of retirement and give us all a show that we will never forget.
CHEF ERIC KISH
HEAD CHEF & GM
Eric Kish, our executive chef and co-owner, helps to create a wildly optimistic, creative, and“for the people” culture at Rosie’s. His enthusiasm fosters a family oriented atmosphere amongst both staff and restaurant patrons. Beginning first as a humble dish washer 20 years ago, Eric has matured into our acclaimed chef that continues to elevate guests’ culinary experiences to new heights on a daily basis. Chef Eric’s cutting edge skills and attention-to-detail create thoughtfully prepared, superior food that continues to speak to the traditional Barone family recipes. His timeless recipes grant guests the opportunity to step back into old world Sicily while enjoying traditional Italian cuisine and sipping on a delectable glass of wine. Eric’s passion for cooking and meticulous work ethic have allowed Rosie’s to grow into the thriving establishment that it is today.
JENNIFER OWARZAK
MANAGER: RESTAURANT & BAR
You may know the saying, “behind every celebrated establishment is a great leader.” Our fearless leader and front of house manager/ bar manager, Jenny Owarzak, continuously teaches the Rosie’s Italian Grille Staff the importance of fine dining etiquette and exquisite customer service. Jenny has been a staple in the Rosie’s establishment for over 15 years. As a former server and bartender, she has learned the importance of trusting her instincts when running a restaurant. She implements her “can-do” attitude in every fashion of her work ethic at the restaurant. From helping to seat guests to helping mix drinks, Jenny’s supportive attitude fosters a work culture dedicated to teamwork. She understands that a smile is the essential ingredient in any hospitality setting and keeps the soul of our restaurant alive by promoting an environment dedicated to diversity and kindness. Jenny leads by example and shows our staff the importance of creating memorable dining experiences for our guests. Jenny plans all large parties and special events that take place in our restaurant. If you’d like to contact her and allow us to host your special event, please email her at jenny.rosiesitaliangrille@gmail.com.
BETSY BARONE
COORDINATOR: CATERING & FOOR TRUCKS
Much like Coco Chanel, Betsy Barone keeps her heals, head, and standards high. She is a woman with great style and even greater compassion. There are few women in this world that can simultaneously raise six beautiful children while helping to grow and mold both our Rosie’s Rolling Chef food truck and our catering business. On any given day, you can find Betsy at a catering event, decked out in killer shoes, putting the finishing elegant touches on a beautiful display. Her eloquence and compassion shine through in her work and her relentless pursuit of marrying food with beauty. Betsy, currently our food truck coordinator, sets the standard for exquisite catering and event planning. She delivers unparalleled service and event planning. When she is not event planning or spending time with her family, you can find Betsy creating delicious pastries and Italian cuisine. If you’d like to inquire about booking the food truck, you may email Betsy at betsy.rosiesitaliangrille@gmail.com.
