One of Chef Jan Michael “Mike” Anastacio’s earliest and fondest memories involves cooking alongside his grandmother in the family kitchen. His passion for food and appreciation of all ingredients led him away from his family’s dreams of a medical career and instead to the Culinary Institute of America. Upon graduation, Mike worked at the Sagamore Resort on Lake George and, staying within the company, he moved to 50 Ocean at Boston’s on the Beach, a highly acclaimed restaurant in Delray Beach, Florida. After several years, Chef Anastacio returned to New York to be near family. He first worked alongside Chef Michael Williams at Winston in Mount Kisco. In 2016, Chef Mike decided to join the team at Purdy’s Farmer & the Fish, one of Westchester County’s best restaurants. While there, Chef Anastacio entered a cooking competition, Battle of the Chefs, in Ridgefield, CT., where he took first prize amongst several of Ridgefield’s best chefs.
Chef Mike’s determination, paired with an insatiable work ethic, has earned him the new role of Executive Chef at Factoria. Chef Mike’s creativity and innate understanding of fresh, and preserved ingredients are helping guide Peekskill into a bright and distinguished culinary future. He encourages and inspires his kitchen to overcome challenges, embrace problems and adapt to find solutions all in the name of becoming better. This constant striving for improvement paired with genuine passion, produces true originality in the kitchen.