EXECUTIVE CHEF

Born in Belfast, Ireland and raised in England, Chef Joel moved to the US in 2017 and has spent the majority of this time in Washington. Joel studied culinary arts at Kendal college located in Cumbria near Manchester, England.

With more than 17 years of cooking experience, Joel's work history is extensive. From cooking in hotels and golf clubs to cooking in restaurants across many parts of the world. Prior to joining Allister, Joel was the co-founder of "Chef Behind the Curtain" in Snohomish, and led the opening team of "16 eleven" located in Everett. Until recently, Chef Joel was the Executive Chef at Woodinville's "Barking Frog".

Fun fact, Chef Joel recently competed on the popular Food Network show "Beat Bobby Flay", 'bring on the brits'!

SOUS CHEF

A humble man of very few words, Patrick grew up in Medina, Washington and has called Washington home all his life. He has enjoyed cooking for 15 years around Seattle and went to culinary school in South Seattle. He has worked at many great restaurants including, 2120, Bis on Main, The Lakehouse, and How To Cook a Wolf. His wife is a nurse and together they have a 4 year old son.

CHEF DE CUISINE

As a member of the opening team, Daisy specializes in recipe development - creating and expanding the pastry, bread, and fermentation programs at Allister. While she spends most of her time bringing artful desserts to life, her work in fermentation highlights the deep flavors that can be brought out in simple foods using only time and microbiology. 

Having spent 12 years bouncing between bakeries and kitchens, her influence bridges the gap between sweet and savory. Previously, Daisy was the Sous Chef for Capitol Hill staple "Omega Ouzeri", as well as James Beard finalist "The Black Cypress" in Pullman, Washington.

Daisy spends her free time gardening, singing, and playing ukulele when she's not testing recipes with her Partner, Joey. Her creativity and passion comes from her mother - a prolific artist and gardener, who taught Daisy the fundamentals of cooking and that the kitchen is the heart of community. 

LEAD BARTENDER

Keven is a storyteller behind the bar. As Lead Bartender, he brings a literary sensibility to the cocktail program, treating every drink as an opportunity to evoke time, memory, and place. With over a decade of experience in hospitality, Keven’s approach blends precise technique with emotional resonance—crafting beverages that are as thoughtful as they are balanced.

Whether he's reviving a forgotten classic or composing a house original, Keven draws inspiration from history, philosophy, and the subtle drama of everyday life. His work reflects a deep respect for hospitality and the belief that a well-made cocktail can be as impactful as a well-told story.

OWNER & GENERAL MANAGER

Sara is a two-time entrepreneur whose first endeavor, prior to allister, was a women’s clothing line and Seattle boutique called SPUN. In 2013, she won Seattle Magazine’s coveted “Best Established Designer” award, before life events drove her to make the switch to the tech industry. Sara has a passion for food and gets joy from taking care of people. Opening allister is a dream come true for her and her family. Sara has called Mercer Island home since 2006, and resides with her husband Ian and her daughters Sena and Sadie.