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He was born in Campobasso - the capital city of the Italian region of Molise. His family originates from Riccia which is one of the largest towns of the province where he spent his infancy and childhood. Born the youngest of five children, after the sudden death of his father, he began working in restaurants when he was just 13 years old. At the age of 14, he traveled to study at the ”Hotel Institute of Montecatini Terme” in Tuscany for three years until he graduated.
To improve and refine all that he learned, Marcello worked the next six years around the world to perfect his culinary talent in Switzerland, Germany, France, England and, finally, in Bermuda.In Bermuda he met his wife, Carolyn, and they both moved back to the United States. Here he perfected his art, working for some of the most famous restaurants in New York and New Jersey.
This experience led him to understand what the American customer wants and expects from a good restaurant.In 1986, Marcello realized his dream as a chef and opened his first restaurant in Suffern, Rockland County - New York State.In 1992, Marcello appeared on the “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee Show” preparing his most loved recipe for “Tiramis.'
In 1993, Zagat appointed Marcello's Ristorante as “One of the 50 best restaurants in the Tri-State area.”Crain's New York Business" ranked Marcello’s Ristorante as “one of the best Italian restaurants outside of Manhattan”
In 1992, the American Academy of Restaurant Sciences chose Marcello’s Ristorante for its “Best of the Best” Five Star Diamond Award as one of the top 50 Italian restaurants in the United States.
In 1994, Marcello participated in the inaugural event at the Gracie Mansion , the official residence of the mayor of the City of New York with Mayor Rudolph Giuliani residing for the ’94 Soccer World Cup.
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