CHEF MICHELE CUOZZO

Greetings from an Italian Chef...

...that comes from the South of Italy; Sala Consilina; a city in Salerno province. Living in the surroundings of mountains and our National Park; Cliento E Vallo Di Diano, i am proud to say that this is where i learnt my way to cook.

Okay, let me share with you my life story.

Since young, i would work part-time in the restaurant and look from afar how the chefs were all busy working in the kitchen.

Years later, my uncle invited me over to work in the kitchen with him in Germany during my school holidays. There, i had the opportunity to step into the kitchen. And there, was where i first taught myself how to make a pizza.

Where it all started...

Stepping into Asia...

An opportunity came in 1994 where i was offered a job to work in Asia, Indonesia ; where i became the first Italian Pizza Chef there.

Six months later, i was offered yet another opportunity to work in Singapore where i managed to work for Al' Forno and Ox Grill & Bar....then move to work in Modesto in Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur.

Going back home...

After being away from home for such a long time, i decided to head back to Sala Consilina (my hometown).

After all these years of crafting pizza, it seems like the chemistry between me and pizza-making have grew stronger.

And i was intrigued that by making a perfectly crisp pizza isnt just by flipping the pizza, adding of ingredients and then baking it into the oven. The technique of mixing the ingredients for the dough and flipping of the pizza all have to be right...just to get that perfect pizza; that i make, and where everybody loves it.

There, i continued improving my pizza skills by working in the restaurants as a Pizza Chef as well as taking part in several pizza competition.

All to gain more exposure and knowledge about pizza making.

After some years, being more confident of being able to serve awesome pizza, i've decided to open my own Pizzeria in Sala Consilina; MIKE PIZZA.

All about Mike Pizza

click here to view the images

After running MIKE PIZZA for 6years, i've decided to sell the business and head back to Singapore to work with my advanced knowledge and skills in pizza making, where i managed to work for Baraonda and La Braceria Pizza & Grill.

i was ALSO given the opportunity to dish out some traditional Italian cuisine dishes for the customers. Happy i was, as i had always wanted to try my skills that my mother and grandmother had taught me before.

Hello Asia... again

One day, i was being head-hunted and asked to join to work in an Italian restaurant as a Kitchen Chef and a Pizza Chef in Indonesia. It was too good to reject, and i had to bid Singapore good bye...again.Within a year there, i joined my friends in Singapore to work as Head Chef at their restaurant; The Sailors.

And later, it was designing and building of Capri Trattoria as well as working there as a Head Chef.

Designing & Building of Capri Trattoria

click here to view the images

In 2013, i was head-hunted to work in one of Kuala Lumpur's well-known Italian Restaurant; NeroVivo.

As Head Chef at NeroVivo , it has opened to many opportunities for me. From shooting cooking programmes and attending Malaysia International Gourmet Food twice during my stay there.

In Kuala Lumpur....

Its been a great thanks working with the crew at NeroVivo and NeroTeca.

Here, i had a great crew of staffs working with me and throughout the two years here, i had created wonderful dishes that has let all customers leaving in praise and happiness.

Presently

Another challenge was set out for me and currently i am now in Jakarta working as the company's Corporate Chef at PEPeNERO.

Its a great challenge to be working with a famous Italian restaurant here in Jakarta and to bring it to higher heights.

Remember to check out my blog and menu creations!

Working for more than 20 plus years, i have not only gained experience in the kitchen but also in creating a restaurant, to being a kitchen consultant, a personal chef and even conducting a cooking class!

Therefore, with my skills and knowledge, should you need any help, feel free to send me a personal email and we can chat about it.

Till then, have a great life head.

- Chef Michele Cuozzo

“many questions every day, so many comments about my success, my friends, one sentence ...... I learned to create my own happiness!” - Michele Cuozzo