Kegan Stritchko
Executive Chef
A rising culinary force aged under-30, Kegan Stritchko is a sushi ace with more than a decade of experience in the fine dining industry. As Executive Chef of XOXO Bar (Chestnut Hill, MA), Stritchko creates and oversees the culinary program that focuses on modern Japanese cuisine including omakase-style presentations, à la carte sushi masterpieces and robatayaki specialties in a lively modern izakaya setting.
Fittingly, Stritchko’s love for the art of sushi started on Valentine’s Day in 2012 when he started his first culinary position after finishing high school. An accomplished athlete with an artistic flair, Stritchko recalls his affinity for graffitiing in Denver, CO, which later manifested in his approach to designing beautifully presented sushi creations. Between his agile hands, quick-study nature and work ethic learned from his experience in sports, it was a natural fit for the intricate world of sushi.
Stritchko has spent time honing his craft in kitchens across the country including Uni and Fat Baby Sushi (Boston, MA), Makoto at the Bal Harbour Shops (Miami Beach, FL), Uchi (Austin, TX, and Denver, CO) and more. Stritchko’s passion has been nourished and mentored by celebrated sushi experts such as Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka, one of the Philadelphia's most venerated chefs specializing in Japanese cuisine. Working in hands-on environments alongside great talents has excelled Stritchko’s career path while feeding his insatiable appetite for sushi mastery.
Stritchko prides himself on putting his own stamp on how he approaches the artistry behind sushi from how he considers the unique layers of flavors and textures of ingredients to presenting the aesthetically stunning final products. Happily realizing this was his fate at only 18 years’ old, Stritchko points to a well-known quote: “Find what you love and let it kill you.”
In his spare time Stritchko is working to achieve the coveted black belt in jiu jitsu, a distinction reserved for a small subset who have reached expertise in technical and practical skill over a minimum of ten years. Stritchko also enjoys fly fishing.
Kegan Stritchko currently resides in Brookline, MA.