Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcello Avitabile.
Marcello, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been working in the kitchen since I was 16 years old. Over the years I had many different work experiences in many different places in Italy like Bologna, Naples and Capri at Mamma’ Restaurant with the Chef Gennaro Esposito, two Michelle stars restaurant. I also had some working experience in the north of Europe. I’ve been five times world champion for pizza gourmet. In 2014 I came here in San Diego to take over as the executive chef for Buona Forchetta Restaurant. In five years we opened three restaurants Buona Forchetta, two in San Diego and one in Encinitas.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a pretty easy road, especially because I love my job and I do it with passion and dedication. I’ve never worked thinking about money, but only trying to express myself, my art and my personality through my dishes and my cuisine. I got this great passion for the food and the kitchen from my mom who was my first inspiration. I used to spend a lot of time in the kitchen looking at her cooking!!
Tell us more about your work.
I’m the executive chef for all Buona Forchetta Restaurants Group. I’m particularly specialized for fish dishes and obviously for the real Neapolitan pizza. I’m proud of the great growth that this company had over six years. I started when they had one restaurant and now we run three successful restaurants. What makes me different from others is the fact that I do always real Italian cuisine, using the best fresh ingredients possible no matter what! First of all the quality of the ingredients!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Respect for what I do and for the people is the first role I’ve always followed. This made me always lucky.
Pricing:
- The average price per person is around $35/40
Contact Info:
- Address: 250 N Coast Hwy 101
Encinitas CA 92024 - Phone: 619 634 9530
- Email: marcelloavi@gmail.com
- Instagram: Chefitalia-Marcello-Avitabile
- Facebook: Marcello Avitabile
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