Our Story
Vito Giambalvo is a Sicilian American born in St. Louis, MO to a second-‐generation mother and father. He is the chef and creator of the series “Vito’s Italian Cucina”, an Italian cooking show that makes cooking Italian food fun, easy and nutritious. Vito’s recipes are taken from his family’s favorites, simplified to accommodate today’s busy lifestyles.
His trademark is his comedic style and entertaining format. In addition to cooking.
Vito learned to cook “mostly by eating” what his mother, grandmother and aunts made. He remembers his aunts making 50 kinds of cookies for Christmas and a twenty-‐foot longtable of dishes that his entire family would feast on.
Born on October 19th some years ago, I grew up in St. Louis, MO in a Sicilian Catholic family. Some of my fondest memories are of weddings, holidays, and gatherings when my mom and dad, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins would all get together to cook, eat and celebrate.
I remember one Christmas when my mother and aunts made 50 different kinds of cookies, along with all of the other food and desserts that they made that day. As a kid, I always tried to slip into the kitchen and sneak some food while it was being prepared, and my grandmother would usually pull me out by my ear, but not before my mom or one of my aunts would give me a handful of cookies, bread, or whatever they were making. When I was 19, I opened one and then another Pizza Parlor in St. Louis. I ran them both until I was inducted into the Army National Guard at 21. When my unit was activated, I sold both restaurants.
Unfortunately, some of those wonderful family recipes were never written down and so I was never able to formally gather many of them together. But about 20 years ago I did sit down and write down as many dishes as I could remember, and have made them all and enjoyed them with family and friends.
I love to cook and share good food!
I enjoy preparing all kinds of food, especially Italian food! It’s easy to do with lots of fun and lots of flavor. In Vito’s Italian Cucina, we take recipes from my mother’s kitchen, combine them with new-world simplicity, and show you how quick and easy it can be to whip up a dish or meal that will be delicious and appealing. It will warm your heart and put a smile on your friends and family’s faces.
With lots of Love, Laughter, and Music – the best way to prepare and enjoy a good meal!
Vito Giambalvo