By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11
Chef Joe Castro (2006).
For a chef to make a lasting impression on the culinary scene they must blend creativity, craftsmanship, and personality into their restaurant and dishes. For Joe Castro, Transylvania ’81, this meant melding the homestyle cooking of his mother, who was a Kentucky native, with the pacific island cuisine of his father, who was of Filipino decent. The by-product of this pacific-americana hybrid was what many described as one of the finest restaurants in Louisville and throughout the state of Kentucky. Castro spent fifteen years as the Executive Chef at The English Grill at The Brown Hotel and gained widespread recognition throughout the Kentucky culinary community. Breaking onto the national stage, Castro was featured on The Discovery Channel's "Great Chefs of the South" and "Great Chefs of America" TV series in 1994. In 2000, he helped launch the Chef's Table premium dining experience at The English Grill. Alongside his brother, chef John Castro, he appeared on “Throw Down with Bobby Flay” in 2007; the duo prepared their Kentucky’s famous Hot Brown dish, which netted them a victory in the competition. Leaving The English Grill in 2007, Castro assumed the role of Culinary Training Manager for General Electric's Monogram Appliances.
On April 23rd, 2022, Joe Castro died at the age of 60, surrounded by loved ones. Castro is remembered fondly by fellow chefs, food critics, and all those who knew him. "Joe was truly one of the nicest human beings I have ever met," wrote a GE Appliances coworker, Mason Carrico. "His caring attitude and genuine kindness are two traits that always made Joe stand out. His passion and talent for cooking were second to none. We love Joe and he will always have a special place in our hearts." Castro is survived by his wife, Kathleen Stevens Castro; children, Eleanor Stevens Castro, Max Ignacio Castro and Lydia Stevens Castro; sister, Alfreda Donahue; and brothers, John Castro and Paul Castro.