Chris Bianco facts for kids

Chris Bianco is a famous American chef and restaurant owner. He has won a special award called the James Beard Award. Chris Bianco runs his popular restaurants in Phoenix, Arizona, and also in California.

Chris Bianco's Early Life

Chris Bianco was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1960. He grew up in a town called Ossining. When he was a child, Chris had asthma, which meant he often had to stay indoors. During this time, he watched his aunt cook, which sparked his interest in food.

At just 13 years old, Chris started working at a local pizza place. This was his first step into the world of cooking. In 1985, he won two plane tickets. On a whim, he decided to fly to Phoenix. When he arrived, he felt a strong connection to the city. Before settling down, Chris also worked as a chef in Italy and Santa Fe. He returned to Phoenix in 1993.

Becoming a Chef

Chris Bianco started his cooking journey by making fresh mozzarella cheese. He made it right in his apartment and sold it to Italian restaurants. Later, a special food store owner in Phoenix, Guy Coscos, gave Chris a chance. He offered Chris a small space in his store to make and sell pizzas.

Chris's pizzas quickly became very popular. He soon realized that making pizza could be his full-time job.

Pizzeria Bianco Opens

In 1993, Chris Bianco opened his first restaurant, Pizzeria Bianco. He started it with his business partner, Susan Pool. In 1996, the restaurant moved to a historic building at 623 East Adams Street. This building used to be a machine shop.

In 2010, Chris had to go to the hospital. He had a serious asthma attack and pneumonia. This was because of many years of breathing in flour dust and smoke from making pizzas. After this, he started focusing on pasta dishes more than just pizza. Chris also owns other restaurants in Midtown Phoenix. These include Bar Bianco, Tratto, and Pane Bianco.

In September 2022, Chris Bianco was featured in a Netflix show. It was a documentary series called Chef's Table: Pizza.

Awards and Recognition

Chris Bianco is well-known for his amazing cooking. He has received several important awards.

His first nomination for the James Beard Foundation Award was in 2000. This award is one of the highest honors for chefs in America. Chris won the James Beard Award in 2003. He was the first pizza maker, or "pizzaiolo," to be named "Best Chef Southwest."

In 2022, Chris Bianco received another top honor. The James Beard Foundation named him "Outstanding Restaurateur." This award recognizes the best restaurant owner in the industry.