Chef of the Month / Alessandro Pirozzi/ July & August

Chef Alessandro Pirozzi

Restaurant: Pirozzi  

2929 E Coast Highway

Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

(949) 675-2932

When did you know you wanted to be a chef?

I knew when I saw my uncle/mentor Ugo Dorso at 7 yrs. old I went to his Hotel, Paradiso in Naples where he was working as the executive chef – I remember he was in the kitchen, it was slammed- super busy – the fire, the yelling the whole thing was so exciting…and I loved it.

What are your hobbies outside of the kitchen? 

I’ll be taking my pilot license final in July. I love flying planes… that’s first, then I’m going to learn to fly helicopters after.  I also like to go off roading with my motorcycle in Single Train Mountain in Big Bear as well as the High Desert.  I also like shooting- I’m pretty good.  I like to shoot a long-range rifle.

Everyone remembers their first encounter with burrata.  What is yours? 

My first encounter was a long time ago when I was in Italy, it’s a childhood memory.  My mom used to buy it and we’d eat it with oregano, extra virgin olive oil and San Marzano tomatoes during the summer when they are perfect and juicy.

If you could make dinner for one person, who would it be? 

(*without hesitation and with a smile on his face) My mom, Margarita she lives in Napels- she taught me to be nicer to people- without her I’d be less understanding and more mean.– I would make her something that would take time and effort so that she will appreciate it.

What is your favorite dish to cook and why?

My favorite dish is pasta. Always. First of all because its what I grew up with, and second it’s the biggest result you get out of the most two most simple ingredients, flour and water.  Without pasta the world would be boring.