Michele Maritato

Chef Michele Maritato has amassed an impressive culinary resume on his path to becoming chef/co-owner of his acclaimed regional Italian restaurant Borgo Antico. The 37 year old chef is a prominent chef who has created an innovative approach to regional Italian cuisine. Chef Michele's culinary vision was formed during his years growing up in Calabria, Italy where he inherited his love of cooking from his mother and aunt. Michele launched his culinary career in 1974 at the age of 14 where he worked as a cook's helper in his aunt's Italian restaurant, Dino's, in Dover, England.

In 1976, Michele left England to further home and talents in Europe. He immediately became a cook at Stuttgart International Hotel's prominent continental restaurant in Stuttgart, Germany and was promoted to sous chef. In 1980, Michele returned to Italy to become chef de cuisine at Rusticone, a renowned seafood restaurant in Genoa.

In 1989, Michele opened Girasole, a sophisticated Italian restaurant in a charming Upper East Side townhouse with two partners. Chef Michele garnered the restaurant major reviews for The New York Times, Gourmet, and Newsday. He met and hired his future partner, Giovanni Iovine as a captain at Girasole.

In 1995, Michele and Giovanni opened Borgo Antico, a regional Italian restaurant in a charming two-story townhouse setting in Greenwich Village. Michele's innovative regional Italian menus represented an exciting approach to Italian cuisine. In July 1997, Michele and Giovanni opened a second restaurant, Grano, also located in Greenwich Village, and features regional Italian cuisine.

Michele has participated as a guest chef at many prestigious culinary programs and other prominent social events. Michele is sure to become one of the country's most promising chefs on the rise.

Chef's Recipes :

Oven Roasted Rosette of Salmon with Thyme Leaves

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