Archipelago

If you’ve dined with us over the years, you know exactly where to find Chef Aaron.

He is almost inextricably tied to the pass at Archipelago. For Aaron, the craft is a process of constant revisiting—refining, re-exploring, and obsessing over the breadth of our history until every technique and story feels right. Being in the kitchen for every service has always been his way of staying deeply connected to that evolution, remaining present for our local community and dedicated to the growth of our team every single night.

Our team’s recent time in the Philippines, working directly with the farmers who sustain our heritage, offered a new perspective on that dedication. It served as a reminder that our craft is part of a much larger, global ecosystem—and that growth often requires stepping outside our own four walls to bridge those connections.

For a rare night, Aaron is stepping away from our counter to join our friends at for Isang Kusina.

As a team that has spent many years uncovering, documenting, and sharing the hyphenated American experience in Seattle, it’s been a joy to watch this city’s “kitchen” diversify and thrive. Aaron is excited to bring his rigorous approach and love for our shared history to a different table, celebrating the strength of the community we’ve all built together.

It’s a special opportunity to see his perspective in a new light, and a testament to the team at home that makes it possible for him to share our craft further afield.

Come join us in Las Vegas ! Thank you so much

When Justin Legaspi ( )first joined us, he spoke about a deep desire to bridge his 15+ years of experience in some of Seattle’s most iconic kitchens with a deeper connection to his Filipino-American identity.

Today, we are beyond proud to officially announce Justin as our Chef de Cuisine.

From his time at The Harvest Vine and Bateau to co-founding the Lahi pop-up, and most recently laying foundations at Family Friend, Justin has spent over a decade mastering his craft. Now, he leads our team with that same patience and vision, helping us hold the space where heritage and the PNW bounty meet.

Join us in celebrating this new chapter of leadership at the counter. Read more about Justin’s journey in our blog post, link in our bio.