Nicholas Stefanelli facts for kids
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| Born | Maryland |
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| Cooking style | Italian |
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Current restaurant(s)
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Nicholas Stefanelli is a famous American chef and restaurant owner. He is known for his amazing Italian food. His restaurant, Masseria, has even earned a special award called a Michelin Star. He owns restaurants in Washington, D.C..
Early Life and Cooking Journey
From Sports to Spices
Nicholas Stefanelli was born in Maryland. His family comes from Greece and the Apulia region of southern Italy. When he was younger, Nicholas loved baseball. He played at DeMatha Catholic High School in Washington, D.C. But then, he broke his foot, and his baseball dreams changed.
Discovering a Passion for Food
After high school, Nicholas went to Italy. He planned to work in fashion in Milan. But while traveling through cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, he fell in love with Italian food. He realized he wanted to cook!
Learning to Cook Like a Pro
Nicholas decided to become a chef. He went to a cooking school called L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, Maryland. After school, he started working in famous Italian kitchens. He learned from great chefs like Roberto Donna and Fabio Trabocchi. He even worked at a very famous restaurant in California called The French Laundry.
Returning to Washington, D.C.
In 2009, Nicholas came back to D.C. He helped open a new Italian restaurant called Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca. The restaurant quickly became very popular. Esquire magazine even called it one of the best new restaurants in America. Nicholas won an award in 2010 for being a "Rising Culinary Star."
Masseria and Officina Restaurants
Opening Masseria
In 2014, Nicholas decided to open his own restaurant. He named it Masseria. This name comes from the old farm estates in Italy's Apulia region. Masseria opened in August 2015. It was the first stand-alone restaurant near Union Market.
Earning a Michelin Star
In October 2016, Masseria received a huge honor. It earned a Michelin Star. This is a very special award that shows a restaurant has excellent food. In 2018, Masseria won another award for being the "Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year."
Expanding with Officina
Nicholas opened another big restaurant in October 2018. It is called Officina. This restaurant has three floors! It includes an Italian restaurant, a café, and a market. Officina is located in The Wharf, a new area in Washington's Southwest Waterfront. Nicholas also plans to open a Greek restaurant in downtown D.C.
Awards and Recognitions
Nicholas Stefanelli has received several important awards for his cooking:
- 2010: "Rising Culinary Star" from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMMY).
- 2017: One Michelin Star for his restaurant Masseria from the Michelin Guide.
- 2018: "Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year" for Masseria from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMMY).
