Chef Michele Pastorello

My name is Michele Pastorello from Livorno Italia.  I can prepare private customized meals for your dinner parties, which are fun and innovative way to celebrate birthdays, and showers as well as an ideal corporate team-building activity.  You can chose between a fully hands on class or a demonstration class (which also included plenty of audience participation). I can come to you home for a cookery lesson or to prepare your own private meals. 

My culinary background is Italian cuisine, specializing in Tuscany cuisine.  I have over thirty years of experience in the hospitality industry and extended knowledge in Italian and American old wines and recipe development.  I was professional chef for many years before become personal chef.    I have prepared dinner for all types of parties including VIP’s, celebrities, politicians and royalty.

In 1983, I became chef and partner of Health food store in big Island, Hawaii, preparing daily fresh and healthy foods.

In 1988, I became leading chef consultant for Italian restaurants in Maui, and a year after I opened my own Restaurant, Café Paradiso.  There I developed my own style of cooking, combining my classic training with new techniques to create innovative menus and catering for many celebrities of the world including:  Walter Becker, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Steve Winwood, Woody Harrelson, Donald Fagen, Steve Guttenberg and Harry Hamlin among others.  Years later, I moved my family to Princeton, New Jersey where I was leading consultant in Regional Tuscany cuisine.

In 2000, I became a member of T2 Ventures and managed Mediterra, and upscale Princeton restaurant and Teresa’s, a casual Italian eatery in New Brunswick.  In these roles, I trained professional wait staff, managed the restaurants’ day-to-day operations, advised on methods to improve customer service and provided my expertise in wine selection.