Jose Castaneda

Jose is an excellent addition to the Ray’s management team. He’s been working in hospitality for the last 15 years bartending and managing restaurants and is a level 1 Cicerone and level 1 Sommelier.

Jose grew up in California and after moving to Washington graduated from Cascade High School in Everett. After studying math and Spanish at Spokane Falls Community College while planning to earn his teaching degree, he found his passion was in the hospitality industry and changed course to focus his attention to managing and training young adults in fine dining atmospheres.

He loves to cook and makes a great surf and turf with filet mignon, a mushroom gravy, and sauteed butter prawns, all of which he pairs with a great Malbec.

When he’s not helping run a busy dining room he enjoys snowboarding in the winter and kite boarding and paddle boarding in the summer. And he loves to travel to the beautiful PNW mountains for hiking and camping.

Stephen Rodriguez

Born and raised in south Texas, Stephen Rodriguez moved to Washington in 2013 looking for glory. He began his culinary career at 25, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed straight out of the Art Institute of San Antonio with a degree in culinary management. Over the years he’s worked with many talented young chefs whom have helped to shape his personal philosophy. Hard work and dedication are some of life’s best and most endearing qualities and working in the kitchen has really shown him how to love life and respect the wonder of nature’s bounty.

When he’s not working he’s at either at a coffee shop reading a book or a bar here in Ballard talking about aliens or food. In the Boathouse he and his crew have fun and work hard producing high-quality, fresh seafood.

Jose Gonzalez

Jose brings many years of experience and talent to Ray’s. He spent six years as Sous Chef at the Daily Grill in the Sheraton Hotel, seven years as Sous Chef for Nordstrom Café and also has fine dining experience as a line cook at the Metropolitan Grill and The Brooklyn Seafood, Steak & Oyster House. Jose’s favorite fish is salmon and he loves preparing it fresh every day. When not in the kitchen cooking, he enjoys spending time with his family or playing basketball with friends.

Peter Payyappilly

Peter grew up in India and moved to the United States in 2004. He started working in the restaurant industry in 2012 as a dishwasher at friend’s family restaurant. Addicted to the hospitality he climbed his way up learning the ins and outs of various roles. He began a management position at Ram Restaurant & Brewery, learning to problem solve and cater to the needs of the guests. He was able to get creative in planning events, giving brewery tours, and partaking in festivals to promote the brand.

He moved to Seattle from Illinois 2 years ago. He loves long road trips, camping, hiking and being on a boat somewhere. If he’s not at work, you could catch him exploring new restaurants and bars, watching movies, cheering on his favorite sports team, and wearing out his goldendoodle, Baby.