Maurizio Ferrarese, Four Seasons Hotel

Maurizio Ferrarese, Executive Chef, Four Seasons Hotel Houston

Born and raised in the Piedmont region of Italy, Ferrarese discovered the significance of seasonal peaks at a young age and chose to pursue a culinary career with his parents' encouragement. A semi-professional soccer player in Italy until work and a torn ACL sidelined him for good, Ferrarese hasn't always focused on his native cuisine. "But you can't take that away from me!" he notes with a laugh, adding that his hotel restaurant experience includes cooking Asian in Hawaii and Jewish and Indian in London.

Maurizio Ferrarese picked the right time to cook Italian at Four Seasons Hotel Houston. The Executive Chef of Quattro and its wine bar, Vinoteca Quattro arrived in the Space City in summer 2010 expecting a slow culinary scene and was happily surprised. Ferrarese's own bright idea was to let quality carry the day at Quattro. He uses main ingredients only at their seasonal peaks and prepares them with as little fuss as possible. "Every chef bases cuisine on their own experiences. My experience is that Italian should be very simple, with few ingredients and straightforward preparation so that each flavor shines through."

Finding the quality he expects so far from the coasts in Houston has been an "interesting challenge," he says. "I'm still figuring out what my suppliers are capable of. In the meantime, I just make sure to get the best out of whatever I have." Buon appetito!

2018 Chef of the Year
Kevin Naderi, Roost

Chefs Advisory Board

Beginning in the late 1990's Chef Monica Pope joined in Gracie's efforts to establish a group of concerned chefs who were willing to get involved in a hands on way to teach kids to cook. Twenty-four answered the call and in 2006, we established our Chefs Advisory Board, a working committee with Monica as its Chair. Through the years, more and more chefs have joined our founding members, and today we have over 100 members in Houston and across the country. Monica Pope continues to lead the team as Chair Emeritus.

These busy professionals donate their time month after month, year after year, bringing their unique insight and perspective of food to the children, turning on their taste buds and opening their minds to new foods. It's a Recipe for Success! Would you like to join us? Get in touch and get started today!

The Foundation's Chefs Advisory Board served as inspiration for the White House campaign for Chefs Move to School! Six members of our Chefs Advisory Board joined members of our Board of Directors at the White House in June 2010 for the kick-off of Chefs Move to Schools! where Recipe for Success was featured as a national model and resource. See pictures here. And read about the trip here and here.