he enterprising North Jersey chef/restaurateur Ryan DePersio is known for Fascino in Montclair and Battello—two of NJM’s favorite restaurants—and Kitchen Step in Jersey City. Earlier this year, DePersio opened an outpost of Kitchen Step at Newark Liberty International Airport’s impressive new Terminal A. “I love the fact that our airport diners’ first or last meal in New Jersey is pure Jersey eats,” he says.
Why did you decide to expand Kitchen Step to the airport?
Actually, we were recruited! My business partners were approached by Master ConcessionAir, a Miami-based international restaurant group. Their business model is to partner with known chefs who deliver consistent quality, and work with them to open their brand in their area airport. The goal is to give passengers a local experience, not to mention good food. The company has a great reputation, and I loved the concept. We opened on January 15 of this year.