Teddy Bloom
Front of House Manager

Teddy Bloom began restaurant management and bartending in his hometown of Fayette, Missouri. He then moved to Jefferson City where he tended bar at O’Donoghne’s, developing a unique and very popular martini menu. While at  O’Donoghne’s, Teddy shared his bartending skills by teaching martini-making classes to politicians, lobbyist and the Capital City social elite.

In 2007, Teddy moved to St. Louis where he started at Boogaloo as a server and bartender.  From there, he quickly moved into the role of Front of House Manager. With his dynamic presence, easy sense of humor and attentiveness to excellent service, Teddy has a growing base of regular customers and fans.

Mike Johnson
Chef

Chef Mike Johnson has used his creative energy to produce an unusual blend of restaurants that have become known for their unique appearance and innovative dishes, restaurants that have changed the dining experience in St. Louis.

Johnson began his culinary career with a degree from the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont. Upon completion of his culinary studies, Mike Johnson set out to work with some of the best chefs in the world, before opening his own restaurant.  To that end, he began as a personal assistant to Emeril Lagasse in New Orleans then went on to work with Charlie Trotter in Chicago, Daniel Joly in Vail, Joachim Splichal in Napa Valley, and finally with Phillipe Duvalle in Chartres, France.

In 1997 inspired by his travels and culinary education, Johnson returned to St. Louis to open his first restaurant, Café Mira, serving contemporary-global cuisine.  Since then, he has opened a series of well-known local restaurants, including BARcelona, Roxane and Cyrano’s.

Mike Johnson has received numerous awards and honors, including being voted best chef by the River Front Times and the Business Man’s Journal. Nationally, Johnson has also received accolades from Gourmet Magazine, Bon Appetit and the New York Times.

In 2005, Johnson opened the stylish Boogaloo bar and restaurant, which offers fun service, an excellent full bar, an outstanding menu of tapas and entrees as well as daily Cuban, Caribbean and Creole specials.

Justin Sampson
Bar Manager

Justin Sampson got his start in the restaurant industry working in small restaurants and bars in his native Illinois.  On moving to St. Louis, he put his experience to work at popular destinations such as Lucky’s on Laclede’s Landing and MP O’Reily’s in the Central West End. Justin continued to gain experience working for six years in management at Lounge Concepts.  Later, Justin bartended and served as Bottle Service Manager for the trendy nightclub, Pepper Lounge.

Following the Pepper Lounge Justin served as the founding General Manager for Nectar Lounge.  Justin also ran Mike Shannon’s Outfield for two seasons. In addition Sampson helped create and open El Borracho Taqueria and Cantina with the impressive ownership and staff including Pete Ferretti, Buddy Coy, Steve Guidry, and Pat Shannon and family.

After three years as bartender and manager at Roxane’s in Clayton, Justin Sampson has brought his energy, creativity and disarming smile to the role of Bar Manager at Boogaloo. Come in and see why Justin won the Iron Bartender Contest in March 2010.