Joey Campanaro

Joey Campanaro first discovered his passion for cooking in his Nonna's Philadelphia kitchen, where he learned that great food is rooted in generosity, simplicity, and love. Those early lessons, combined with years of training in some of America's finest restaurants, shaped his Mediterranean-inspired cooking and heartfelt approach to hospitality.​

In 2001, Campanaro opened The Harrison in Tribeca, earning a coveted two-star review from The New York Times. Five years later, he realized his dream by opening Little Owl, the beloved West Village restaurant in the iconic Friends building. In 2026, Little Owl proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary, remaining one of New York City's most cherished neighborhood restaurants.​

Campanaro later partnered with his longtime friend Chef Mike Price to form Blackfoot Hospitality, a restaurant group built on genuine hospitality and treating every guest like family. Together they opened Market Table (2007), The Clam (2014), and Little Owl The Townhouse (2017), a private event venue and culinary showroom. In 2024, they expanded the Little Owl family again with The Chef's Room, an intimate dining space designed for memorable social and corporate gatherings.​

Joey has dedicated his time to the New York City Wine & Food Festival for the past 19 years, contributing since its inaugural year and helping grow one of the city's most celebrated culinary events. Campanaro and his restaurants have been featured in Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Condé Nast Traveler, The New York Times, New York Magazine, Esquire, Travel + Leisure, and the Today Show. In 2020, he published his first cookbook, Big Love Cooking: 75 Recipes for Satisfying Shareable Comfort Food.