Our Team
In August 2020, lifelong friends Jay Cooper and Matthew Monsour became roommates in East Lansing, Michigan, moving into Unit #405 in their building. At the time, Jay was studying at the August Escoffier School of Culinary Arts while Matthew and his friend Vinnie were finishing their business degrees at Michigan State University. As fate would have it, Matthew and Vinnie both worked at the school's career center during their senior year, which is where Matthew learned that Vinnie shared his own passion for cooking. Matthew introduced Jay to Vinnie, and from there, everything fell into place.
What followed were countless nights in Unit #405, with Jay and Vinnie cooking up their favorite dishes together while Matthew was the bartender... and happily the food tester. Word spread quickly, and soon friends were asking to experience their cooking firsthand. Natural entertainers at heart, the three began hosting regular dinners at the apartment, welcoming friends throughout the year to share in the experience. It was there, around that table, that the idea for 405 Hospitality Group was born.
Since their college days, 405 Hospitality has grown from those casual apartment gatherings into a fully operational business, hosting private dinners across Michigan.
Executive Chef
Joseph "Jay" Cooper IV
Jay is the Executive Chef of 405 Hospitality Group. He has thorough experience in the service industry, initially as a bartender before finding passion in cooking. He has been a Chef de Partie for the last 5 years. Jay has a Diploma of Education from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, where he majored in Culinary Arts and Management. An avid outdoorsman, Jay was once a fishing guide in Bonita Springs, FL.
Sous Chef | Operations Director
Vincent "Vinnie" Pucillo
Vincent is the Operations Director and Sous Chef for 405 Hospitality Group. He has more than 2 years of fine dining hospitality experience from both The Dixboro Project in Ann Arbor, MI as well as Red Haven in Okemos, MI. Vincent graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Marketing and Wealth Management. Outside of the 405, he is a Financial Advisor at Foguth Financial Group.
Business Development
Matthew Monsour
Matthew is the Business Development Director of 405 Hospitality Group. Outside of the 405, he is a Director at Shorewood Companies, his family-owned real estate business based in Michigan. Matthew graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Finance. He was also college roommates with Jay Cooper for two years, serving as an honorary Maître D’ of the original Unit 405 Apartment.