Board of Advisors
, Chef-Owner - EightyOne
Opened in 2008, Eighty One is currently one of the most successful and critically acclaimed restaurants in NYC. The creation of eighty one is the culmination of Ed’s long and successful career. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1983, Ed joined New York’s Le Parker Meridian as sous chef at its three-star Maurice Restaurant where he worked beside Chef Christian Delouvrier and Chef/Maitre Cuisinier Alain Senderens. Two years later, he traveled with Senderens to Paris to work at the famous Michelin three-star Lucas Carton as Chef de Partie Tournant. In 1990, Ed joined the venerable Restaurant Associates (RA) to open Tropica, the organization’s first project in New York’s MetLife building complex, eventually overseeing the culinary programs at all of RA’s restaurants in the building. After a brief stopover at Judson Grill, Ed returned to the RA family in 1994 to serve at the helm of The Sea Grill. During his 14 years as Executive Chef of The Sea Grill, Esquire magazine called it “one of the best restaurants in the world” and Brown, “perhaps the most impressive talent in his field.” Ed has earned an impressive collection of stars from The New York Times, 14 in all for such properties as Marie Michelle, Tropica, Judson Grill and The Sea Grill.
, Interior Designer at ABC Home
Mr. Wagner has well over 20 years of editorial and creative experience in both print and online publishing, focusing on interior design, home furnishings, food, wine, travel, and lifestyle interests. He was DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATION FOR MATERIAL CONNECTION and contributor to magazines such as Food and Wine, Town and Country, Departures, Bell'Italia and House Beautiful focusing on Italy and Italian related topics. For the Hearst Corporation he has been editorial director of their Food and Spirits web site as well as editorial director of all of Hearst Magazines on the internet. At present he is the Director of Marketing and Communications for Material Connexion, a center where architects, designers, and corporations can research the most innovative materials available on the market.
Born and raised in Rome, Mr. Wagner resides in New York.
, Executive President - Chef EatalianStylecorporation
Andrea founded with Moreno Tiberi and Antonio Peruzzi the EatalianStyleCorporation to promote and implement the art of Italian cooking and culinary traditions internationally. He provides premium quality and creative banquet and catering services for a variety of needs and locations.
He has been the President of F.I.C. (Federation Italian of Chefs) of Assisi since 2003 and with the cooperation of the Association of Umbrian Chefs he organizes culinary events and cooking classes for chefs.
Andrea Tiberi has been in the restaurant world since his early years, making his first steps as a “prep cook” in 1988. He received his diploma as qualified chef in 1991 from the “Istituto Professionale Alberghiero” in Assisi. He now lives in Connecticut.
, President of Monini North America Inc.
Marco has been runningt Monini NA, Inc since 2000, after stating it to helo expand the presence of Monini in North America. Today Monini is the 8th largest olive oil company in North America.
In addition to successfully managing the business Mr. Petrini has been recognized by the American Culinary Foundation with an Honorary Degree in Culinary Arts and holds a Diploma from the Olive Oil Tasting Panel Association.
Prior to moving to the US, Mr. Petrini had joined Monini SpA in Spoleto, Italy in 1992 as Export Director, and managed the expansion of export sales to more than 35 countries
Previously Mr Petrini had overviewed the construction and openingof the first AIPC (American Italian Pasta Co.) mill and pasta factory in Excelsior SpringMO between 1986 and 1988. He was also in charge of pasta exports from Italy to more than 50 countries until his own family business was sold to an American investment group in 1990. The Petrini Group managed 5 industrial plants in Italy for the production of pasta and animal food products.
Marco lives now in Connecticut. He graduated "cum laude" at the BostonCollege, School of Management in 1985.
Luca is a leading wine expert, author, educator and creator of the innovative wine judging method, Sensofwine.
Luca started the Lm editing company by creating “The Taster of Wine”, a magazine dedicated to wine and wine-tasting. Since 1993 he’s also been publishing the Annuario dei Vini Italiani, an yearly special report on the enological production within major Italian winemaking companies. He has published several other renowned books on wine, among which in 2008 Lm his first annual “Top 500 Italian Wines Producers” in English.
He has been involved in numerous educational initiatives including seminars and TV shows. The Sensofwine event in Rome attracts over 25,000 consumers and 1,000 professional yearly.
Luca started his career in the wine world with Luigi Veronelli, wrote for “L’Etichetta” magazine and founded “Ex Vinis”, Italy’s first wine-oriented newsletter. He graduated with Honors in Business & Economics in Rome.
MBA, Columbia Business School (Delta Gamma Sigma Honor Society)
MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Parma Italy
In 2006 Mr. Massini founded, with three partners, Mercurio Capital Partners, a NY and Milan based private equity firm investing in small sized Companies operating in the macro-sectors of Made in Italy.
In 1999 Mr. Massini founded Italian Quality Standard, Inc., a Management Service Company supporting Italian manufacturers in establishing their presence in the US. Since its inception, the Company has generated over $100 million of new business for clients including Colussi Group, Loacker S.p.a., Bauli S.p.a. and others.
In 1997, Mr. Massini relocated to the US to manage the local business of an Italian food Company. The business was successfully sold to an American strategic partner in 1999.
As a private investor, Mr. Massini successfully provided capital to a number of early stage Companies in a variety of sectors.
Mr. Massini is currently an Officer and Director of the following Companies: Italian Quality Standard Inc, Davines North America, Inc, Molinari USA Inc, Delicious Brands Inc.
