David Catapano facts for kids

David Catapano is an American celebrity chef, professional poker player, and American football coach. He is also a reality television personality. He is well-known for his amazing Italian cooking skills and his own special "Twisted Mediterranean" style.

David Catapano is most famous for appearing on many cooking TV shows. These include the long-running FoodyTV show Italian Style with Chef Catman. He also appeared on Food Network shows like Iron Chef and Chopped. Over the years, he created several popular sayings, such as "My Kitchen, My rules!", "Bada Bing!", and "Why, No?". Catapano is also a big poker fan. He has played poker professionally and in large charity events. Because he is a famous chef, he is sometimes called a Celebrity Poker Player. For several years, Catapano was a successful football coach for leagues like the WPFL, XFL, and AFL.

Poker Player

David Catapano is a very skilled and successful poker player. He started playing poker with his family and friends when he was only 9 years old. When he was in his early 20s, he became well-known in some special poker clubs in New York City. He was a regular player at the famous Mayfair Club. Because of his status as a celebrity chef, he is sometimes known as a celebrity poker player.

Television Appearances

Catapano has appeared on many TV shows. These include Good Day America, The Food Network, Taste This TV, Kara's Healthy Cook Off, The Vegas Snoop, FoodyTV, and Poker School. He was also on season 17 of Chopped and Iron Chef. Beyond cooking, he appeared on shows related to the WPFL and XFL Football League. He has also been a writer for the TV show CSI: NY.

Football Coach

Catapano was the head coach for the New York Dazzles, a team in the Women's Professional Football League (WPFL). He coached them for three seasons. During this time, he led them to win two Division titles and one Championship.

Catapano was also the defensive coordinator and director of player personnel for the XFL team, the New York/New Jersey Hitmen. The Hitmen were an American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. They played their home games at Giants Stadium. In the XFL's first and only year, his team had the best and most feared defense in the league. Famous commentator Jesse Ventura gave Catapano the nickname "The Enforcer." After the XFL, Catapano worked as the director of player personnel for the New York Dragons. This was a team in the Arena Football League, and he worked there from 2003 to 2004.

Personal Life

David Catapano was born in Downtown Brooklyn, New York. In 1992, on Easter Sunday, he lost his leg in a train accident in Augusta, Georgia. Since then, he has worked with groups like the Amputee Coalition of America, Poker Players Alliance, and Wounded Warrior Foundation. Catapano has also published several cookbooks and articles about cooking in magazines. He continues to speak and inspire people across the country as a Certified Public Speaker and personal development coach.