At Corporate Chefs, we love celebrating the diverse talents and passions of our culinary team, and few embody this spirit more than Executive Chef Justin Corrigan at MITRE Bedford, MA. With a career spanning nearly two decades in corporate dining and a lifelong passion for food, music, and creativity, Justin brings a unique, fun energy to the kitchen.
Justin’s culinary journey began early, cooking traditional Italian dishes with his family and discovering global flavors while living in Ireland and Scotland as a child. His time abroad ignited a deep appreciation for authentic cuisine, helping him distinguish between traditional recipes and their “Americanized” counterparts.
By his teenage years, he was already working in back-of-house roles, gaining hands-on experience in food prep. His passion for the craft led him to the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, where he graduated in 2007. His first post-graduation role was at Restaurant Pava, a high-end Mediterranean spot run by acclaimed chef Susan Regis, where he learned the intricacies of gourmet, scratch-made cooking.
After a stint managing the cheese department at Wilson Farms in Lexington, he joined Corporate Chefs in September of 2007 as a Floating Manager, quickly establishing himself as a leader in the kitchen. Over the years, he worked in nearly every Corporate Chefs kitchen in the Boston suburbs, from Chelmsford and Cambridge to Burlington and Westford, where he spent eight years at Juniper Café under Roger Bucher, lovingly known as Buddy. Now, as Executive Chef in Bedford, he is at the helm of one of Corporate Chefs’ premier accounts, an ever-evolving operation that keeps him on his toes.
Our client in Bedford empowers us to run a fast-paced, dynamic environment that challenges Justin and his team to innovate daily. He takes pride in creating unique and exciting offerings, recently introducing dishes like Turkish espresso-rubbed corned beef brisket, miso-glazed cod, bruschetta salmon, and an exhibition-style paella.
Outside the kitchen, his creativity extends to another passion—music. A multi-instrumentalist, he plays trumpet, keys, backup guitar, and sings in his cover band, BailOut, which performs at weddings and bars. He has a special love for early 2000s pop-punk and emo, drawing inspiration from bands like Blink-182, Green Day, Saves the Day, and Jimmy Eat World. His favorite song to perform? “Holly Hox, Forget Me Nots” by Saves the Day.
Once performing six shows a month, he now plays about 12 shows a year, working to balance his passion for music with a busy family life. A proud husband and father of three (ages 14, 10, and 6), he juggles life between the kitchen, music, and his children’s sports schedules. His dedication to personal growth is evident beyond the kitchen and the stage. In 2014, he returned to Middlesex Community College to complete his Associate Degree in Performing Arts, proving that determination and passion know no limits.
Leading this premier account in Bedford is more than just a culinary job – it’s an honor and a responsibility. Having grown up just two towns away, he has always admired the site’s significance in the community.
“This account has always been a focal point, and it’s incredible to be part of it, let alone lead it” he says. “It feels great knowing I had the culinary leadership capabilities to come in and ‘hang with the big guys,’ but at the end of the day, this is our kitchen, and I take that responsibility very seriously.”
Justin’s time spent across many kitchens has prepared him for the dynamic environment there, where he seamlessly blends his culinary expertise with a passion for teamwork and innovation. His experience across various kitchens has not only sharpened his technical skills but also reinforced his belief in collaboration, adaptability, and leading by example.
We are proud to celebrate Chefs like Justin Corrigan, who bring passion, creativity, and a relentless drive to push the boundaries of corporate dining. One thing is certain—he is always creating.
Want to see more of Chef Justin’s journey? Keep an eye on our Corporate Chefs social channels, and check out his band, Bail Out, on their website, and on YouTube!
