Joe Rocchi

Chef Joe Rocchi is the Culinary Director at Franklin Towne Charter High School in Philadelphia. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in culinary arts and has honed his skills with over 2 decades of experience in the industry. He achieved success in various roles spanning the culinary landscape from opening multiple Philadelphia casinos as an executive, to fine dining restaurants, directing health care nutrition services, large-scale catering and as a consultant. He is a citizen of the Pamunkey Tribe of Virginia and is a passionate educator and rising star around questions of Indigenous food sovereignty, colonization, and pre and post-Colonial Indigenous foods. He holds a seat on the non-profit PAZA, TREE OF Life board of directors as well as being on the speakers bureau with the Philadelphia Native House Alliance. Chef Rocchi has recently been featured on PBS for his role in creating the inaugural Indigenous People’s feast at the College of William and Mary.