Justin Legaspi as Chef de Cuisine

When Justin Legaspi first reached out to join our team, he wrote to us about more than just his 15 years in some of Seattle’s most iconic kitchens—from the The Harvest Vine to Bateau, and so much in between. He wrote about a desire to align that mastery with his identity.

Justin working an event at the Harvest Vine in 2012.

"Learning more about my own culture and its identity is something I have been wanting to have a bigger connection with," Justin shared. "I think that it would only help my growth not just as a chef, but also as a Filipino-American."

At Archipelago, we believe the counter is a place where history is active. Justin’s journey has always been about refining his craft, including a scholarship to stage in the Basque region of Spain and co-founding the Filipino pop-up Lahi. But it was his commitment to taking the bounty of the Pacific Northwest and using it to honor his heritage that told us he belonged here.

Justin and Aaron with ILAW in 2017 for the Hidden Flavors Chef Collaborative dinner.

As our new Chef de Cuisine, Justin brings a “teamwork makes the dream work” philosophy to the line every night. He isn't just executing a menu; he is helping us build a vision of culinary sovereignty. His leadership, his patience in training the next generation, and his obsession with the intersection of PNW ingredients and Filipino soul are what make him the perfect leader for our team.