Fabio Viviani

Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, Branding and Marketing Strategist, Author

Chicago

Chef Fabio Viviani has possessed a passion for food since his childhood growing up in Florence, Italy. At age 11, Viviani worked nights at a local bakery (since he was too young to officially join the staff) and, during his teenage years, held several positions in the restaurant industry, even serving under the mentorship of Simone Mugnaini, an iconic figure in the Italian restaurant industry.

Between his training in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine at IPSSAR Saffi and working with culinary luminaries such as Simone Mugnaini, Alessandro Panzani and Saverio Carmagini, Viviani owned and operated five restaurants in Florence, a Farm House and two nightclubs by the time he was 27. Although a well-respected businessman in Italy, he was ready for a change and moved to Ventura County, CA where he opened Café Firenze in Moorpark.

Teaming up with one of Chicago’s most innovative restaurant consulting groups, Dine|Amic, Viviani went on to open Siena Tavern in Chicago in 2013 where it received accolades from Michigan Avenue and Chicago Tribune, to name a few. 2014 saw the debut of Mercato by Fabio Viviani, a quick service Italian concept in Chicago and San Diego and the launch of Fabio Viviani Wine Collection. Additionally, Viviani opened his new steak restaurant, Prime and Provisions, as well as Bar Siena, both in Chicago in 2015. In January 2016, Fabio opened Osteria by Fabio Viviani at LAX's Delta Terminal followed by Mercato by Fabio Viviani, a rustic yet refined eatery, located in Chicago, San Diego, Detroit, Tempe, Phoenix and Benton Harbor.

Perhaps best known for his television debut on Bravo’s hit reality series "Top Chef" - earning the "Fan Favorite" title - his on-screen appearances have propelled him to become one of the fastest growing household names in the country. In addition to competing in Bravo’s "Top Chef All Stars" and starring in the spinoff, "Life After Top Chef," Viviani has appeared is a recurring guest on television shows such as Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, The Talk, Hallmark Home & Family, The Chew, Good Day LA, and Access Hollywood.

Off screen, Viviani is a regular headliner at global food events and festivals, has his own line of ceramic cookware, Co-Branded Signature Series Aeternum Evolution and is a proud endorser of beloved brands such as Bialetti Cookware and Bauli authentic Italian baked goods. He has authored three successful cookbooks: Café Firenze Cookbook, New York Times Best-Seller Fabio’s Italian Kitchen and Fabio’s American Home Kitchen and is planning to release his fourth cookbook in Spring 2017.

Most recently, Viviani launched his Know-How Leadership Academy, an educational service where he shares tips, guides, and advice to young entrepreneurs and provides free business tools and entrepreneurship courses. Fabio believes it is important to raise talent and anyone should be offered tools to be successful as long as they have the drive and willingness to learn.

Furthermore, Fabio is working on the release of Lobster by Fabio, offering Maine lobster and seafood delivered direct to your doorstep, and Portico by Fabio Viviani, his restaurant concept in the del Lago Resort & Casino in Tyre, NY opening early 2017.