About
Italian-born Japanese celebrity chef, restaurateur and media personality best known for his food-focused television shows and cookbooks, as well as for his restaurants across Asia. He is known in Japan as "The Pizza Man" and "The Grand Chef," and has been credited as the pioneer of Neapolitan pizza in Asia.
Before Fame
He began cooking at the young age of 11, where he trained himself in the kitchen and traveled frequently between Italy and Japan. His first job was as a pizzaiolo in Naples, where he first gained experience with preparing pizzas and Italian dishes.
Trivia
In 2009, he was honored by Chevallier by the ORDRE DES COTEAUX DE CHAMPAGNE in recognition of his economic help to the wine industry and expansion of Italian and French products in Asia. He is a brand ambassador of San Pellegrino Acqua Panna, Pasta Rummo, and FMI.
Family Life
He is the son of an Italian father and Japanese mother. He and his wife Pia Schallenberger have been married since 2014. He has 10 children.
Associated With
In 2013, his restaurant XEX Tokyo was described by Anthony Bourdain during his show Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Tokyo on the Travel Channel as the final destination for the Japanese elite.
