Career Stories

Chef Fabio Viviani has harbored a passion for food since his childhood growing up in Florence, Italy. Fabio owned and operated several restaurant concepts by the time he was 27 including two nightclubs and five restaurants in Florence.  Best known for his television debut on Bravo’s hit series Top Chef—earning the “Fan Favorite” title—his on-screen appearances have propelled him to become one of the top culinary names in the country. He is a recurring guest on national television shows such as Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, The Chew, and countless Food Network Shows such as Cutthroat Kitchen: All-Star Tournament, which he won. In February 2017, he also released “Fabio’s Kitchen,” a 52-episode cooking show hosted on YouTube. Teaming up with one of Chicago’s restaurant consulting group, Dine|Amic, Fabio opened Siena Tavern in Chicago in 2013 and the following year he opened Mercato by Fabio Viviani, a quick-service Italian concept with branches in Chicago and San Diego. In 2015, Fabio continued to