ROCCO DISPIRITO

CHEF, AUTHOR, TV PERSONALITY

“Treat food like a friend – with patience, compassion and great care. Only cook and eat food with people you like – life’s too short for bad food and bad company.”

Rocco DiSpirito is a distinguished American chef, celebrated for his James Beard Award-winning culinary skills and as an author of fourteen acclaimed books, including three that have reached #1 on the New York Times bestsellers list. Born on November 19, 1966, in Queens, New York, DiSpirito has made significant contributions to the culinary world, both through his innovative cooking and his health advocacy.

DiSpirito’s journey into the culinary realm began at a young age, with his education at the Culinary Institute of America laying the foundation for his career. By the age of twenty, he was already working in the kitchens of legendary chefs worldwide, showcasing his extraordinary talent early on. His restaurant, Union Pacific, received a three-star rating and became a culinary landmark under his stewardship. The restaurant was famous for its exceptional quality, with Ruth Reichl notably moaning in pleasure at the taste of the food in her New York Times review.

Beyond the kitchen, DiSpirito has made his mark on television, participating in shows like “Dancing with the Stars,” “Rocco’s Dinner Party,” and “Guy’s Grocery Games,” among others. He also made a notable appearance on Guy Fieri’s “Guy’s Grocery Games – Superstar Tournament,” where he won the first prize for his chosen charity. DiSpirito’s commitment to health and nutrition became particularly evident following a personal health scare that led to an emergency discectomy spinal surgery in 2015, which significantly impacted his life and work.