Jim Cafarelli Founder & CEO

Considered one of the nation's most trend-setting restaurateurs, Jim Cafarelli has to his credit more than 25 years of experience in concept development for dining and entertainment venues.

His impressive client list includes David Copperfield's Late Night Magic, House of Blues, Motown, Universal Studios-Orlando, Walt Disney Co. and Quincy Jones.

In 1988, he founded CAFCO Development Inc., a Boston-based concept design and construction management company specializing in the restaurant industry. After having successfully overseen the design and opening of several hundred restaurants nationwide, he sold CAFCO to his partner and current owner, Joe Thibert. 

Jim Cafarelli went on to become the exclusive developer of the famed House of Blues, for which he opened locations in Cambridge, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Chicago, Myrtle Beach, Orlando's Walt Disney World, Anahiem's Disneyland and the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

As a follow-up to this success, in 1998 he co-founded The Olive Group Corp., which opened 10 restaurants, including Olives in New York, Aspen, and Washington, D.C., as well as Kingfish Hall, Bonfire, and Rustic Kitchen in Boston, and Tuscany in the Mohegan Sun Casino.

After years of partnerships, Jim decided to branch out on his own. Today, Jim and his wife Kathy are the founders of their own restaurant company, owning and operating four Rustic Kitchens.

Kathy Cafarelli Co-Founder & CFO

Rustic Kitchens are located in Hingham at the Derby Street Shoppes, Boston at Park Square, Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre PA and our newest location in Mexico City, Mexico opening March 2010.

In 2006 Jim & Kathy developed a unique broadcast television kitchen studio as part of the Boston restaurant, and as co-executive producers, oversee production of a weekly Friday evening live show called “The Cooking Show” Host Catherine O’Brien or Liz Bramwell offer a highly entertaining live cooking show for 22 audience members that dine on featured entrée items and wine pairings while learning interesting factoids and tips about how to prepare each dish.

In 2008 they opened at a third location in Mohegan Sun @ Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, PA and launched a second cooking show called “Cooking with Kate” in their newest 40 person state of the art studio.

To date Jim and Kathy have produced over 400 live cooking shows. These cooking shows continue each week and have become some of the most coveted tickets in town.

Stay tune for more to come!