Macchialina – the Miami Beach mecca for soulful, Italian fare and one of the most sought-after reservations this side of the Macarthur Causeway – is pleased to announce the appointment of Ruggero Vittorini as the restaurant’s new Chef de Cuisine.
With almost ten years of culinary experience at acclaimed restaurants stretching from New York City to Miami, Vittorini brings his vast wealth of knowledge of rustic Italian fare to his new position at Macchialina. In this role, the newly appointed Vittorini is slated to work alongside revered James Beard Award Semifinalist, Executive Chef Michael Pirolo and his esteemed team at the Miami Beach trattoria. Pirolo and Vittorini will work in tandem to oversee all kitchen related activities, including menu creation, management of kitchen staff, ordering and purchasing of inventory and plating design.
Born in Rome, Italy to an American mother and Italian father, Vittorini hails from a household of talented artists. With close-knit, familial ties to poets, writers, film directors and musicians, it’s no surprise Ruggero was raised on a steady diet of creative stimulus which inevitably spurred his own interest in the arts. At the age of 13, Vittorini migrated to the United States with his family where he studied and went on to pursue a music career, spending several years composing and performing. At 23, he moved to New York City, as most aspiring entertainers do, in search of a creative community away from home with hopes of forging his way into the established music scene.
In an effort to support himself through his artistic endeavors, Vittorini entered the food industry which resulted in the discovery of his own passion for cooking. He fell in love with the culinary arts and quickly began to climb the ranks as a line cook for Michele Iuliano, eventually leveling up as Sous Chef at Ovest in Manhattan. Two years later, he spearheaded the opening of Luzzo’s Brooklyn as Head Chef. Relishing in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hone his craft, it was here Vittorini created his very first menu and more importantly, where he learned how to command a kitchen. Located on the ever-bustling Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights, Luzzo’s to this day remains a cozy, staple spot for Brooklynites with a taste for Neapolitan-style pizzas and soulful, southern Italian cuisine. A few years later, he took on the role of executive sous chef at Babbalucci in Harlem where he spent the remainder of his time in NYC. In 2016, Ruggero joined Stephen Starr and Justin Smillie for the opening of the popular New York City brasserie, Upland, on Miami Beach. There he worked alongside Alex Lee, Sebastian Rouxel, and Francis Derby, among others who helped him refine his cooking style and solidify his future in the kitchen.
Now in his current position as Chef de Cuisine at Macchialina, deemed one of the Best Italian Restaurants in Miami by Timeout in 2018, Vittorini brings his passion and perfectionist persona to the kitchen while continuing to uphold the quality of the rustic Italian eatery’s imaginative and rich cuisine.
Macchialina is located at 820 Alton Road on Miami Beach and is open for dinner nightly. Telephone: (305) 534-2124; www.
Information provided by Brustman Carrino Public Relations
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