Magnifico

I learned L’Arte D’Arrangiarsi—the art of creating something from nothing—from my Italian family while living in Italy. Cooking by feel, instinct, and inspiration defines my approach in the kitchen.

Born and raised in San Jose, in the heart of the Italian-influenced Bay Area, I am a second-generation American with deep roots in Taormina and Messina, Sicily, as well as Torino and Trieste in the north. My family is spread across Italy, and my closest friends in Rome feel like family, too.

My love for cooking began in childhood, sitting on the counter “helping” my mom make cookies. By seven, I was making Betty Crocker blueberry muffins—those picture instructions were great! I later graduated with honors from Le Cordon Bleu in Los Angeles and haven’t touched a box mix since.

Each year, I return to Italy to reconnect with family and friends, learning new skills, techniques, and flavors that continue to inspire my cooking and elevate my clients’ dining experiences.

As a premier Private Event Chef and Personal Chef in Los Angeles since 2010, I curate extraordinary dining experiences for elite clientele, including major figures in film and fashion such as Kathleen Kennedy and Paul Marciano, as well as celebrated names like Donatella Versace, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ritchie Sambora.

I transform your dining space into a private, restaurant-quality experience, offering everything from intimate, family-style meals to exquisite multi-course plated dinners. Each event is seamlessly executed with a professional team of servers and bartenders, ensuring a luxurious and effortless atmosphere.

Every menu is bespoke and seasonally inspired, tailored to your tastes and dietary needs with the highest attention to detail. I also offer rental coordination and expert wine pairing services to further elevate your event.

Whether a relaxed gathering or an opulent celebration, my goal is to create an unforgettable, stress-free culinary experience designed just for you.

Le Cordon Bleu