Cesare will be cooking a recipe from Faith Willinger's newest book, Adventures of an Italian Food Lover.
Cesare, Chef/Partner of Spezie and Tosca, was born in Lecco, a town located in the stunning Lake Como region of Italy. As a young child, Cesare’s grandmother was his main culinary inspiration and role model; she was one of the area’s first restaurateurs and innkeepers. Cesare began his culinary career at age 15 working with his grandmother and other family members while he attended culinary school.
Following culinary school, Cesare worked in some of the finest restaurants and hotels in Italy and England, including Hotel Slendido in Portofino, Gualtiero Marchesi in Milano (Italy’s first three star Michelin restaurant), San Lorenzo restaurant in London, England and also had two years' experience as managing partner in his family-owned hotel in Lake Como’s region.
Realizing the possibilities for a more creative and interesting approach to authentic Italian cuisine in America, Cesare moved permanently to the United States after his experiences as a chef consulting at The Lodge of Vail in Vail, Colorado; as head chef at the opening of Café Milano in Washington D.C.; and Trattoria al Sole also in Washington D.C.
In 1995, Cesare began work as Sous Chef with Roberto Donna’s Galileo restaurant. Soon he was promoted to Executive Chef and was a prominent force in Galileo’s award-winning establishment before opening his own Ristorante Tosca.
Spezie, his newest venture, is a partnership with Enzo Livia, who also owns Il Pizzico in Rockville, MD.
Washington, DC 20036