Very wide shot of a lush green mountainside and a small village in Honduras, Coray Valle

¿Cora, hay?

Coray is the name of Chef Javier’s hometown. As an immigrant, carrying his culinary traditions in his food has been an essential part of celebrating his roots, and grounding his identity in his life and cooking in the United States.

Javier’s family still lives in Coray today where they operate their family farm, fish in the river behind their home, and tend hundreds of acres of land.

Located in a beautiful, quiet valley in a mountainous region of central Honduras, Coray Valle, sits with a local legend.

According to oral history, Coray got its name from a man who worked the fields, and his wife, Cora. As the story goes, the man would come home from working the fields. After a long day of work, he was always hungry, and would ask his wife, “¿Cora, hay?”, which translates to: “Cora - do we have food?”

To which we say: “¡hay!” There is always food here for you.

Meet the Team

Casey and Javier met in 2014 while working at Bi-Rite Market in San Francisco. Javier was leading the commissary kitchen, and Casey in catering and sales. They shared a strong respect and admiration for one another right away, and yes - a life long love developed, too.

Ten years, two children, a lot of good food, and many experiences later, they are thrilled to realize their dream of opening a restaurant in the heart of the town they feel so lucky to call home.

They live in Glenmont with their family, cat Rio, and ever growing garden.

Casey Carroll, Business Development & Owner of Coray Kitchen in Delmar, NY


  • Business Development & Owner

    Born and raised in Delmar, Casey spent 12 years out West, before returning back to the Capital Region in 2018.

    Casey’s front of house experience, commitment to service, and career in food marketing is the perfect complement to Javier’s culinary skill. She has developed and led growth and communications programs for industry leaders Straus Family Creamery, Community Grains, Oliveto Restaurant and Cafe, Fruition Restaurant, 18 Reasons, Avocados From Mexico, and Ardent Mills.

    Casey is the founder and creative director of BWB - a holistic creative agency specializing in business and brand development - and the host of the Questions to Hold podcast where she explores thought provoking conversations with progressive leaders and entrepreneurs questioning our institutions, igniting change, and realizing new realities.

Chef Javier, Executive Chef & Owner, preparing culinary traditions at Coray Kitchen in Delmar, NY.


  • Executive Chef & Owner

    Javier is a diligent and inspired chef with robust experience developing culinary programs, scaling operations, and managing high volume retail and foodservice outlets. After 14 years leading and developing the progressive food program for Bi-Rite Events and Catering, Javier took the helm as executive chef of Hooked Market & Kitchen in Latham, NY.

    He is known for his generous spirit, creative flavors, and honest, down-to-earth approach to cooking. Javier tends a beautiful backyard garden at his home in Glenmont, filled with edible delights that are sure to make their way onto each seasonal menu.

Press & Media

WNYT, News 13, NBC, Upstate of Business

Coray kitchen in delmar features farm-to-table food

Capital Living Magazine, Abby Tegnelia

New & Now: Spring 2024

Times Union, Table Hopping, Steve Barnes

Farm-to-table restaurant opening in november in delmar

Times Union, Table Hopping, Steve Barnes

New Years Eve Roundup