Hocking College graduate, Josh Hinty is recognized as the lunch chef for 9 Tables on North Shafer Street in Athens. He received a culinary arts degree in 2013, but has worked his way up in the dining industry for 20 years.
 
He was recently featured on the Athens Messenger where he was interviewed about his new position at 9 Tables Express. He mentioned that the training he received at Hocking College helped him learn what he hadn't been able to learn elsewhere. "There are teachers there that have forgotten more than I know," Hinty said.
 
His mom was a waitress at a restaurant in Chillicothe when he was younger and he always helped her out. "I probably wouldn't have the passion that I do without my mom," Hinty said.
 
9 Tables was a reservation-only restaurant, which only served multiple-course dinners. Hinty's wife, Courtney previously spoke with the owner, Bill Justice to get the family a spot on the menu. After Justice spoke with Courtney and observed Josh's work, the restaurant offered the Hinty family a spot to serve lunch. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and is known as 9 Tables Express.
 
Courtney is in charge of the business aspects and Hinty has a small lunch menu including a variety of dishes. The menu ranges from mussels in white wine, to pulled pork and hamburgers and a signature sherry-soaked trifle for dessert.