From Italy to Texas: Chef John Ferrando's Story of Family, Food & John’s Place I Food Origins Podcast 77

SHOW NOTES

Chef John's love of cooking started long before he ever opened a restaurant. Rooted in Genovese and Sicilian tradition, his lessons came from family tables in San Francisco, California, with Mamalee, his father John and from summers spent in Italy learning to make pasta by hand alongside his great aunt, Lala Mariuchia and cousins — the same way his family has for generations. That heritage carried him through one previous restaurant in Costa Rica, before bringing him home to Texas.
While building his culinary journey, Chef John also dedicated more than 20 years to the San Francisco Police Department, retiring as a Sergeant after a distinguished career. He spent the majority of those years working in plainclothes and undercover assignments, including serving as a Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Throughout his years in law enforcement, his passion for cooking never faded-it simply waited for the right time to become his full time calling.
Today, inside the historic Rogers Hotel in downtown Waxahachie, John's Place is Chef John's second concept and his most personal expression of everything he loves about food, family and hospitality. Family photos line the walls, and an open kitchen behind the bar offers guests a front-row seat to the teamwork and craftsmanship that brings each dish to life. Whether he's working the line or stopping by tables to great guests, Chef John’s genuine passion is unmistakable. Every plate tells a story, every meal honors his family’s legacy and every guest is welcome as if they were part of it.

Links:

Chef Sam Choy's Cookbooks - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sam+Choy&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Hawaii Regional Cuisine Movement - https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/content/hawaii-regional-cuisine-movement

Pacific Rim Cuisine - James Beard Foundation - https://www.jamesbeard.org/

Sam Choy's Official Website - https://samchoy.com

Sam Choy's Instagram - https://instagram.com/samchefsamchoy

Ulu Co-op - https://ulucoop.com

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Listen to this episode on:

YouTube – (https://www.youtube.com/@foodoriginspodcast)

Apple Podcasts – (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/food-origins-podcast/id1617340639)

Spotify – (https://open.spotify.com/show/0Dq6v5L9AM3hJ0f2Vnm2iY)