Hi, I’m Ray Williams, the chef & 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 & 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, & 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 & Cassie’s expertise behind the scenes. Together, they craft memorable dining experiences of every scale, from street-side hot dogs to intimate private dinners, & 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 & thoughtfully re-invent them. Our mantra is, “Keep it fresh, keep it fun”! We serve Bright Leaf & Gleezy hot dogs. We use 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 & raised close to home. From weekly farmers market visits to partnerships with purveyors sourcing throughout North Carolina, local always comes first. 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, & fun pop-ups. We are rooted in thoughtful sourcing, solid technique, & food that feels good to eat.

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.