Nick Stellino

Nick Stellino grew up in Palermo, on the island of Sicily, and came to the United States in 1975. In 1991, he decided to leave his lucrative career as a Wall Street stockbroker to follow his dream of becoming a chef. He started his culinary career as a dishwasher. Over time, however, he apprenticed with some of the best chefs in America.

"I was in heaven working my way up the restaurant line," says Nick. "But I wanted to share my enthusiasm for Italian cooking with more people. I decided a cooking show was the answer."

Employing the energy, dedication and entrepreneurial vision that had taken him from Palermo to Wall Street, Nick began calling television production companies. His efforts culminated in the highly successful series Cucina Amore I, II and III, Nick Stellino's Family Kitchen I, II, III, IV and V, and the public television specials, Nick Stellino's Dinner Party and Nick Stellino: Food, Love & Family.  Nick's latest television series, Nick Stellino Cooking with Friends, is now airing nationwide on public television stations including the Create™ channel.

Nick has published many cookbooks and has partnered with major publishing companies including Putnam and Doubleday. In 2009, Nick celebrated the launch of his eighth cookbook, titled Nick Stellino Cooking with Friends, which is the companion to his public television series by the same name. His other titles include:

·       Cucina Amore
·       Nick Stellino's Glorious Italian Cooking
·       Nick Stellino's Mediterranean Flavors
·       Nick Stellino's Family Kitchen
·       Nick Stellino's Passione; Pasta, Pizza, and Panini
·       Mangiamo! Let's Eat!
·       Nick Stellino's Dine In!

Nick makes numerous appearances at popular food festivals around the United States, including Boston Cooks, Philadelphia's The Book and The Cook, Seattle's Festa Italiana and the Aspen Food & Wine Festival.

He was Grand Marshal of San Francisco's 1999 Columbus Day Parade, the first time in 130 years that a chef had been accorded that honor. In May 2000 and 2001, Nick appeared as a presenter at the prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards held in New York. For three consecutive years, he has been one of the few chefs selected to cook at the Grand Gala Dinner for the James Beard Awards.

In addition to running his marketing and production company (Stellino Productions Inc.), Nick is a sought-after motivational speaker with a prestigious list of national clients, including many of the companies who provide underwriting for his television series. (For more information, please visit http://premierespeakers.com/nick_stellino.)

Nick Stellino has been a featured guest on numerous national shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today, CBS This Morning and Good Morning America. He has been featured in national publications including Robb Report, TV Guide, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Magazine of La Cucina Italiana, Bon Appétit, InSync, Home, WatchTime and Primo.

Nick spends his time traveling in the United States and abroad, sharing his passion for food and life. "I believe that the family table is our last tribal meeting ground, where we all sit together and share our stories surrounded by great food, great wine, our family and friends. A family that eats together stays together!" Nick has been married for 25 years to his lovely wife, Nanci.