About Us

Chef/Owner John Alff

John grew up in Bucks county, PA and discovered his love of food at a young age throwing pizzas and making cheesesteaks at a local pizza shop. In 2012, John joined Percy Street BBQ in Philadelphia, PA, which was part of the Cook/Solo restaurant group at the time. Despite Percy Street’s seemingly casual food, Executive Chef Erin O’Shea’s approach and attention to detail gave John a new perspective on cooking. In an effort to expand his experience, John went to work for Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran at Barbuzzo Restaurant in Philadelphia. There John worked extensively with handmade pastas and pizzas, and assisted in the opening of two new restaurants in their group. For a time John also worked at Root Restaurant in the Fishtown area of Philadelphia. John then took some time off to raise his three children and continued experimenting at home with pasta, pickles, and charcuterie. In 2018, John went to work at St. Peter’s Bakery in St. Peter’s Village, PA to learn the intricacies of bread baking.

In 2018, John decided the time was right to open his own business, creating Vesta BBQ & Catering with little more than a tent, a couple of folding tables and the smoker attached to the back of his car. During the pandemic, Vesta had to evolve with John’s need to focus on his family and the decline of in-person events. Out of that uncertainty Vesta Kitchen has emerged, providing small batch sauces, pantry items and packaged prepared foods to local retail stores, attending several local Farmers’ Markets and continuing to cater local events.

In March of 2024, Vesta Kitchen opened their first brick and mortar location in Pottstown! This space will serve as a retail market during the week selling the same prepared foods we offer at the Farmers’ Markets and will also be available as an event space. Check back in for upcoming events/workshops!