Born in Alcamo, Sicily, Francesco immigrated to Canada as a teenager.  Papa, Giuseppe, was an artist as a pasta maker in Alcamo and Toronto.   A homemaker, Mamma Margherita raised three daughters and their only son, Francesco.  A widow now at 78, Mamma resides in Toronto.

Trained primarily by his extended family, Francesco returns frequently to his homeland to visit relatives and further his cooking skills.  In most recent years, he studied at the Lorenzo d’Medici Culinary Institute, and apprenticed with Chef Stefano Innocenti of Aqua Al Due, and Chef Daniele Pescatore of L’Amorosa Visione in Florence.

Francesco worked in family restaurants and catering at various times during his life, but he has found his niche in private parties.  His personal mission is “to make other people smile,” and he now makes that a daily reality with his cooking, and his singing.

Initially, he named his catering business, “Dal Cuore,” which translates in English as “from the heart.”  But he soon found that people couldn’t pronounce the name, and just referred to him as “the singing chef.” 

Clients all agree that Francesco does everything “from the heart.”  He brings true passion to his work and  has a rare ability to make any function a warm and joyous Italian family experience.  Dining with Francesco, business teams work more positively, family squabbles are discarded, and friends discover a new level of joy in one another.  And, everyone returns home with a song in their heart!

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