Joe Gilligan

Board Member

Joe is proud to serve on the Mi Work Matters board and have the opportunity to give back to the community, using his extensive culinary background and skills to help people with disabilities who are interested in this field. Joe is on the autism spectrum and also has a sister with autism.

Chef Joe Gilligan has considered himself an artist all his life. From a very young age he entertained himself with drawing, painting, sculpting, and film making. Cooking and baking were a favorite pastime too. Originally Joe started attending Schoolcraft College in 2010 pursuing a Film/Art degree. He then changed his major in 2012 when he was accepted into the prestigious Baking and Pastry program at Schoolcraft College. After graduation Joe had the opportunity to go to Paris, France. It was there that he developed a stronger love and respect for the art and creations of chocolate. He also purchased his first chocolate molds there! 

Upon returning home, Joe started honing his skills as a pastry chef working as the last pastry chef at the Lark Restaurant in West Bloomfield, MI and Avalon in Detroit. Currently working at the Detroit Athletic Club as a pastry chef, specializing in chocolate. Chef and Owner of Dough Joe’s  - makes artisanal chocolates with high quality ingredients - similar to the quality and presentation that you expect to find in European confectionary shops. Joe aspires to open a pastry shop.

 In his spare time Joe enjoys going to the movies with his fiancé, traveling and trying out different restaurants around the world.