Trivia

James Beard Award winner.

Graduated from Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park in 1986

Favorite All-American food, since childhood, is cheesecake, from "Junior's Restaurant" in Brooklyn.

Son of Nicolina DiSpirito.

Received a B.S. from Boston University in 1990

Ex-business partner of Jeffrey Chodorow.

Favorite sugary sweet: chocolate mousse cake.

Was engaged to Yvonne Sciò.

Most influential in career: Ferdinand Metz, Gray Kunz, Rob Stavis (Union Pacific partner), Graham Kerr, Julia Child.

Grew up in New York City.