August 30, 2018

Meet Justin Beckett of Beckett’s Table & Southern Rail

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Beckett.

Justin , let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up loving food and cooking. Immediately after high school, I was enrolled in culinary school. Once I finished school, I spent the first 7 years of my cooking career working with Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion restaurants in California, Hawaii and Arizona. After opening more restaurants such as Cafe Zuzu, Trader Vics, Food Bar, Metro Brasserie, Canal and Estate House, it was finally time to do my own project(s). Beckett’s Table opened in the fall of 2010 and Southern Rail opened in the summer of 2014. They were my 17th and 18th restaurant openings. Today, I spend my days cooking in both kitchens, menu creation, training and developing the teams, shopping at farmers markets, building relationships with local artisans, and embracing the community and their hunger for delicious creative food.. I strive daily to be the best dad, husband, and industry leader that I can be.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think one of the biggest challenges we currently face in the industry is staffing. With so many restaurants opening in the Valley, and very few graduates from the culinary schools, it’s a challenge.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Beckett’s Table & Southern Rail – what should we know?
We specialize in reinvented high-quality comfort food. We have two spaces that are warm and inviting for the casual or the sophisticated guest. We are in the restaurants, working and running the front of house and kitchens daily. I believe what sets up apart from others is that we are local, independent, and family-owned and operated.

What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
I am most proud of opening and running two restaurants here in the Valley — it is challenging, yet rewarding at the same time.

Contact Info:

Address: Beckett’s Table: 3717 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Southern Rail: 300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013
Website: www.beckettstable.com www.southernrailaz.com
Phone: Beckett’s Table: 602.954.1700 Southern Rail: 602.200.0085
Email: info@beckettstable.com info@southernrailaz.com
Instagram: @beckettstable @southernrailaz @chefbeckettaz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeckettsTable/ https://www.facebook.com/SouthernRailAZ/
Twitter: @chefbeckettaz https://twitter.com/ChefBeckettAZ?lang=en
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/becketts-table-phoenix https://www.yelp.com/biz/southern-rail-phoenix-3?osq=southern+rail

Image Credit:
Southern Rail interior shots: Andrew Pielage
Burger photo: Andrew Gooi

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