At his newest restaurant, The Rosticceria, Joey Maggiore greets guests with wide blue eyes, an even bigger smile, and a hug. Dripping in his trademark gold chains, he treats diners like they’re entering his home — or, better yet, his kitchen.

“We create these brands, and we hope that they’re received well,” he says, fiddling with his rings. “My passion is all about food and people. I love being around people. I love cooking, so if we can do that for a living or whatnot, that’s great.”