My name is Joseph Bookwalter, owner of Slabby’s Catering. I was raised in the Great Hoosier State before I decided to enjoy the world while learning how to cook.

In 1998, I graduated from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona, After school, I was selected as a chef at the Cannes film Festival which led to an eye opening trip across the pond. There is a real freedom to having a backpack and a destination and 2 weeks to get there. It was incredible! On that trip, I visited some classmates that had gotten a job in Garmisch-Partinkerken, Germany. I committed to return after my externship in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was quite the start to an awesome culinary career.

After settling in Bloomington, Indiana for a decade and a half, I left for Kentucky and a Food & Beverage Director position in Lexington. Ongoing discussions led to a partnership with my brother and the opportunity to franchise a Jimmy John’s here in Frankfort. We opened in October of 2017.

After another great opportunity, I was able to open Slabby’s Food & Freedom on January 9, 2020. We all know what happened right after that. After operating the restaurant and catering for 3 1/2 years, we made the difficult decision to close the doors and focus on the catering side of the business.

Here we are, a full service food and alcohol catering business that focuses on simple delicious cuisine with influences from a career of learning and travels. We can meet almost any idea you can dream up. We can do custom party menus for weddings, Holiday parties or
business meetings. Take a look at our website and reach out with any questions.