Hi, I’m Ray Williams, the chef and founder of Palisky Hospitality. A proud Johnson & Wales alumni with a degree in Culinary Arts, I bring over 21 years of experience to the kitchen. My journey includes getting my first executive chef position at 23, working under James Beard semi-finalists and finalists in both the Northeast & the South, also developing two unique culinary concepts & managing a 3rd in the Durham Food Hall.

Meet the Chef

Man with glasses, mustache, and suspenders standing behind a table with a large piece of raw meat and a plate, holding a carving knife and a fork, in front of a colorful floral mural.

What’s the deal?

Palisky Hospitality is the umbrella company that houses The Pushcart & Local Mise. Named after founder Ray Williams’ wife, Cassie, and her family name, Palisky reflects the heart of the business, family. A small, hands-on operation, Palisky Hospitality is powered by Ray’s creativity in the kitchen and Cassie’s expertise behind the scenes. Together, they craft memorable dining experiences of every scale, from street-side hot dogs to intimate private dinners, and everything in between.

A man with glasses and a black hat, and a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, both smiling, taking a selfie in an indoor setting.
A hot dog bun filled with grilled jalapenos, onions, and a white sauce, topped with sesame seeds and crushed nuts.
Colorful hand-drawn text saying "The Pussycat" with the word "The" in black and "Pussycat" in pink, outlined in black, on a white background.

Hot Dogs are an All-American comfort food. We fully embrace this as we take some regional classics and thoughtfully re-invent them. Our mantra is, “Keep it fresh, keep it fun”! We use Bright Leaf hot dogs and Martin’s potato buns to hold’em. The Pushcart is currently operating as an “event only” operation. Book us for your next party or host us for a pop up!

A man with tattoos on his arms, wearing a white shirt, tan shorts, a black cap, and glasses, preparing food at an outdoor food stand under a white canopy. There is a grill, condiments, and a piece of grilled bread on a wooden table in front of him.
A wooden table with two hot dogs topped with mustard, sauerkraut, and relish, two glasses of water, a can of LaCroix sparkling water, two lit candles, and two drinks in glasses, one possibly orange juice or a cocktail. There is a small plush toy resembling a dog in the background.
Cartoon character of a smiling hot dog with arms and legs, waving and standing on a line.
A humorous graphic featuring a chef with sunglasses and a mustache driving a small car loaded with various foods like chicken, corn, and more, above the text 'Local WISE' in bold, stylized letters.

The name Local Mise is a nod to the French culinary term “mise en place”, meaning “everything in its place.” Adding Local reflects our commitment to working with ingredients grown and raised close to home. From weekly farmers market visits to partnerships with purveyors sourcing throughout North Carolina, local always comes first. And when something isn’t local, it’s because it’s a product we truly believe in.

Local Mise does a little bit of everything from weekly meal drops, corporate lunches, private events, and fun pop-ups. We are rooted in thoughtful sourcing, solid technique, and food that feels good to eat.

A plate of French toast and a serving of tuna salad on a white decorative plate
A plate containing a serving of baked lasagna with melted cheese and a slice of toasted garlic bread. In the background, there is an aluminum tray with remaining lasagna.
A hand wearing a black glove holding a sliced Twinkie with cream filling and red jam inside, with powdered sugar and additional Twinkies in the background.
A pecan pie dusted with powdered sugar on top, resting on a wire rack over a wooden surface.