Straight from Florence, Italy to the small town of Moorpark resides our own personal “Top Chef.”
Well, he’s not exactly “top” chef yet, but Fabio Viviani’s skills in the kitchen, charming Italian accent and spontaneous, blunt humor has undoubtedly made him a fan’s favorite and is among the top four of the once 17 contestants remaining on the show.
“I didn’t know how people were going to react to me, lucky enough they love it,” said Viviani.
On the show, each contestant has to prove their quickness and basic skills as a chef while testing their versatility, creativity and ability to work with exotic foods. To succeed, they must use teamwork and management skills to help prepare them for the high-end culinary industry.
The challenges the contestants face on each episode seem difficult. But for Viviani, it was the experience of being on a reality television show that was particularly hard for him to adjust to. Contestants of the show must ask permission to do most everything and for six weeks, contestants are allowed minimum to no contact with family or friends.
“You gotta pee you gotta ask for it, you want to drink you gotta ask for it. It’s like you’re in jail or something,” said Viviani with a laugh.
For the most part with Viviani, what you see is what you get. Although every reality television star knows that it is important to consciously think about what they say before they say it, it is still very hard for anybody to have that sort of filter. Especially for a vivacious Italian like Viviani.
“I say f_ck you, they think I mean thank you; I say thank you, they think I mean f_ck you,” jokes Viviani “It is what it is.”
Even though it was tough to adjust to the behind-the-scenes reality of ‘reality’ television, Viviani is very thankful for the opportunity be on the show and looks forward to doing many more things.
Viviani’s personable personality and blunt comments are something viewers love. The winner of the New Orleans Finale Part 2 and the final “Top Chef” challenges include $100,000 to open a restaurant as well as a feature in “Food & Wine Magazine.”
As well as being the first contestant from Ventura County on a highly rated Bravo TV show, Viviani is the co-owner and executive chef of Ventura County’s most recognized restaurant in Moorpark called Café Firenze, according to Ventura County Star.
In the case of Café Firenze, it is not only Viviani’s personable nature that keeps customers coming back, but also the fresh authenticity of each item on the menu as well as comforting “Italian welcome” atmosphere that you indulge in as soon as you enter the restaurant.
Viviani’s access to rural property in Moorpark allows them to grow their own vegetables to help add to the authenticity of each dish. Café Firenze customers’ and Viviani’s favorite dish is the fresh pasta and steak because of the quality and flavor of the aged steak.
“For the price, it is the best steak you can get in the United States,” said Viviani. “Café Firenze goes through about 1500 pounds of pasta and a couple pounds of steak each week.”
On the show, in his restaurant and as William Shatner’s private chef, Viviani brings his exceptional ability to master the art of Italian, French and Spanish influenced cooking.
Future plans for the outspoken Italian from Moorpark include working on the Firenze4kids Foundation, which promotes the effects of good nutrition for children.
This month Viviani, co-owner and general manager Jacopo Falleni and Mike Takeda, Viviani’s step father and another co-owner of Café Firenze will release a Café Firenze Food and Beverage Book. Viviani is also looking forward to the release of two big broadcast television shows where Viviani gets the opportunity to travel around the United States
Café Firenze is located at 563 Los Angeles St., in Moorpark, Calif. Visit www.cafefirenze.net for restaurant menu, specials and other information.
(Randy Phenning)
