An award-winning Chef, Matteo was born and raised in a family of restaurateurs and hoteliers in Sarzana, Italy, where his passion for food was born at his parents’ hotel-restaurant Laurina in Sarzana, near Cinque Terre. Always his favorite spot in the hotel, the kitchen was a place where his mother, the restaurant Chef, started his training. Five years of culinary schooling in Lerici, Italy, complimented the practical cooking background of his youth. Over 15 years of cooking in Italy were followed by another 5 years abroad at the finest restaurants. from Jakarta to Philadelphia to his culminating post as the award-winning Chef at Ferraro’s Ristorante and Bar at Maui’s Four Seasons Resort. The result today is a perfect mix of natural talent, polish and the full understanding of what it takes to be a true host. “He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” ~ Francis of Assisi