Joseph Ungrue
Born in Maui, Hawaii to a Filipino mother and a Greek-Indian father. Jo grew up in a family immersed in the hospitality industry. The hospitality industry moved his family all around the United States. Eventually ending up in California, a true melting pot of cultures, this is where Jo truly fell in love with food and the kitchen. Throughout high school Jo would help out on weekends working for his father who is Executive Chef at a private country club here in southern California. Jo would continue working weekends but would eventually move to San Marcos, Ca to attend college. Food was his calling though and would opt to leave business school and pursue his love for the kitchen. Jo began to learn sushi and wanted to excel in Japanese cuisine, so he attended the Sushi Institute of America led by Katsuya Uechi, world renowned sushi chef who has made his mark known by serving traditional Japanese cuisine in a modern setting. Jo would meet the love of his life while working at the country club Christina Duarte. The two moved to Las Vegas and worked there for two years. Jo worked at the Bellagio Hotel at Yellowtail, which is a Japanese and Korean fusion restaurant and bar, Owned by Chef Akira Back, Jo worked under some of the best sushi chefs in Vegas. The fast pace, up-tempo, and high volume scene of Vegas would prepare Jo to make the move back to southern California and open up their restaurant Sierra Fusion.
See you soon!
-Joseph
