Festa Italiana 2009
This event was a blast. I was working the event as a Chef assistant on Saturday and Sunday and I was able to work alongside the best Italians Chefs in Seattle.
Getting to the big stage is a long journey so I had an immediate respect for every Chef that graced the stage. They know the work we were doing was the hard part so they were all very nice to us (culinary students).
I cut about 35 pounds of red onions, 3 pounds of basil, prepped noodles, julienned 7 pounds of roasted peppers, Minced 4 pounds of mushroom pieces, Stuffed 125 mushrooms, washed dishes, cleaned the stage, high fived a few of the Chefs, and lots lots more. Chef Taranto even had me come on stage on Sunday and let me cook along side him…it was a great feeling! I know I’ll be back on the big stage one day but I don’t think it will be at the Italian festival unless I use the name of my alter ego: Ericci Riverotti.
Everything worked out smoothly for this event and there were two highlights for me:
Chef Nick Stellino called me Chef and he signed a cookbook for me!
After my shift on Sunday two Japanese students came up to me and said they were big fans of mine. They liked me being on stage……TOTALLY MADE MY DAY EVEN BETTER. Mindy was there to witness that one so just in case anyone thinks I’m lying, I have proof! 
Anyway, here are a few more pictures. I didn’t have anyone taking pictures with my camera so if you have any of me then please send them over…..my Mom would like to see them
Mmmmmm Ferrari
Chef Luigi DeNunzio. He was hilarious!
Thanks again to all these Chefs for being awesome!
Chef Nick Stellino (click)
Chef Mario Fuenzalida, La Fontana Siciliana (click)
Anthony Ferrara and Brian Gojdics, Tutta Bella (click)
Chef Jim Taranto
Chef Luigi DeNunzio (click)
Gratzi!
Eric
Looks like & sounds like fun…so much better than the year it was cold & rainy all weekend long!
Congrats on working with some great chefs! We lived in Seattle for a short time and absolutley loved it there. Good luck in culinary school, are you attending the Art Institute?
Hello Sarah,
Yes, I am attending the Art Institute. Just finished my first quarter!
Great opportunity to work with so many amazing chefs and cooking wonderful italian food. How about if we keep your first name Eric and change the last one like you said Riverotti. Not, I love the name I gave my son. Good job Eric.