Celebrity Chef
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Book Rocco DiSpirito For
Corporate Appearances, Speaking Engagements, Autograph Signings, Endorsements, VIP Meet & Greets, Store Grand Openings
Book Rocco DiSpirito for a Speaking Engagement
Businesses, Non-profit organizations, event planners and companies across the country have worked closely with our booking agents to hire Rocco DiSpirito for a speaking engagements, guest appearances, product endorsements and corporate events. Many of those same clients have continued to turn to our speakers bureau as we can easily align Rocco DiSpirito’s availability with their upcoming seminar, gala, annual conference, corporate function, and grand opening. Our close relationship with Rocco DiSpirito’s booking agent and management team further enables us to provide inquiring clients with Rocco DiSpirito’s speaking fee and appearance cost.
If your goal is to hire Rocco DiSpirito to be your next keynote speaker or to be the next brand ambassador our celebrity speakers bureau can assist. If Rocco DiSpirito’s booking fee is outside your companies budget or your unable to align with his appearance availability, our booking agents can provide you a list of talent that aligns with your event theme, budget and event date.
At 16, Rocco began his studies at the Culinary Institute of America where he graduated with honors in 1986. He then studied French regional food and wine for two years at the prestigious Jardin de Cygne restaurant in Paris with Dominique Cecillon and Gary Kunz. In 1990, DiSpirito graduated cum laude from Boston University with a B.S. in Business.
Returning to New York in 1988, Rocco went to work at Adrienne in Hotel Maxim's de Paris (now the Peninsula Hotel) under Jean-Michel Diot and Jacques Chibois. He later became Chef de Partie at Aujourd'hui in Boston. While working for Chef Mark Baker at Aujourd'hui, Rocco learned to combine French techniques with Asian ingredients, now part of his own signature style.
Curious about this style of fusion cooking, Rocco returned to New York to study under great chefs Charlie Palmer, David Bouley, Gilbert Le Coze, and Gary Kunz. Kunz later included Rocco in the opening team of the famous Lespinasse restaurant.
In 1995, Rocco opened Dava Restaurant in midtown Manhattan. The restaurant closed within 6 months despite many favorable reviews. In 1997, Rocco opened Union Pacific in New York City's Gramercy Park. His innovative cooking quickly earned him 3 stars from the New York Times. Union Pacific closed in late 2004, supposedly from a mutual agreement between Rocco and owners.
In 2003, Rocco opened Rocco's 22nd Street, the subject of the reality television series, The Restaurant. The show, although somewhat unfair in its portrayal of Rocco, correctly depicts the power struggle between Rocco (part-owner) and financier Jeffrey Chodorow. Although extremely popular, the restaurant apparently was a financial failure.
In July 2004, New York Supreme Court Judge Ira Gammerman issued an injunction barring Rocco from Rocco's on 22nd Street and also gave Chodorow permission to sell or reopen the restaurant. Rocco's on 22nd Street closed in September 2004 and was reopened in 2005 as the Brazilian steakhouse, Caviar & Banana Brasserio, obviously without Rocco.
In 2004, Rocco started his career in radio as host of the morning show Food Talk on New York City's WOR 710. His radio career ended abruptly in December 2005 as Rocco and the station disagreed over the content of a new afternoon show. Currently, Rocco is without a restaurant or talk show but can be seen hocking his product line, Rocco Cookware on QVC.
Winner of 2004 James Beard Award: Best Cookbook - Cooking From A Professional Point Of View
Rocco's Italian-American Compare Prices
Rocco's Five Minute Flavor : Fabulous Meals with 5 Ingredients in 5 Minutes (Scribner 2005) Compare Prices
1999 Named one of Food & Wine Magazine's Best New Chefs
2000 Gourmet Magazine America's Most Exciting Young Chef
2000 Nominated Best Chef: New York City by James Beard Foundation
2001 Nominated Best Chef: New York City by James Beard Foundation
2002 People Magazine's Sexiest Chef Alive
2003 Nominated Best Chef: New York City by James Beard Foundation
2004 Winner James Beard Award: Best Cookbook - Cooking From A Professional Point of View
Read More About Rocco DiSpirito
Let our team of booking agents help create a memorable experience with hiring Rocco DiSpirito for your store grand opening, golf outing, trade show booth or corporate outing.
NOPACTalent acts as a Celebrity Speakers Bureau and Athlete Booking agency for corporate functions, appearances, private events and speaking engagements. NOPACTalent does not claim or represent itself as Rocco DiSpirito’s speakers bureau, agent, manager or management company for Rocco DiSpirito or any celebrity on this website. NOPACTalent represents organizations seeking to hire motivational speakers, athletes, celebrities and entertainers for private corporate events, celebrity endorsements, personal appearances, and speaking engagements.
