Fabio Trabocchi
Fabio Trabocchi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1974 Osimo, Marche, Italy |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, restaurateur |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Known for | Fiola, Fiola Mare, Del Mar, Sfoglina |
Fabio Trabocchi is a distinguished Italian chef and restaurateur operating out of Washington, D.C.. His establishment, Fiola, has been awarded a prestigious Michelin Star. Prior to launching his own ventures, Trabocchi managed kitchens in London, Virginia, and New York, earning a James Beard Foundation Award in 2006.
Early years (1974–1997)
Born in 1974 in Osimo, located in the Marche region of Italy, Trabocchi pursued his culinary education at Istituto Alberghiero Panzini in Senigallia. He honed his skills under the mentorship of Gualtiero Marchesi in Milan. His professional journey included stints in Moscow and the United States, notably at BiCE Ristorante in New York and Washington, D.C. Subsequently, he opened a BiCE branch in Marbella, Spain, before relocating to London.
Floriana, Maestro, and Fiamma (1998–2010)
While working at Floriana in Knightsbridge, London, Trabocchi was honored with the Carlton London Restaurant Award for Best Young Chef in 1999. In 2001, the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner, Virginia brought him on board to launch Maestro, which showcased two distinct Italian dining concepts: La Tradizione, offering classic regional dishes crafted from high-quality ingredients, and L'Evoluzione, presenting contemporary culinary interpretations. His talents were recognized nationally when Food & Wine named him one of America's Best New Chefs in 2002. Further accolades included the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's Chef of the Year award in 2005 and the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic in 2006.
In 2007, Trabocchi assumed the role of head chef at Fiamma in New York City, succeeding Michael White. Under his guidance, Fiamma received three stars from The New York Times critic Frank Bruni and was awarded a Michelin star in 2009. Despite these achievements, the restaurant closed unexpectedly following the economic downturn of 2008. Trabocchi briefly held the executive chef position at The Four Seasons Restaurant in 2010 before departing within months.
Additionally, he appeared as a competitor on Iron Chef America in 2009.
Fiola and restaurant group (2011–present)
Returning to Washington, D.C. in 2011, Trabocchi inaugurated Fiola in Penn Quarter—the very site where he had formerly worked at BiCE. Although initial reviews were varied, Fiola swiftly rose to prominence as one of the city’s premier dining establishments. It secured Best New Restaurant honors at the 2012 Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMMY) Awards and was recognized by Bon Appétit as one of America’s top 50 new restaurants. In 2014, Fiola earned the RAMMY Award for Best Formal Dining Restaurant and received a Michelin star during Washington’s first Michelin Guide release.
In 2013, Trabocchi was named Chef of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and launched Casa Luca, a relaxed eatery named after his son. The following year saw the debut of Fiola Mare, an expansive 7,500-square-foot Italian seafood restaurant situated on Georgetown’s waterfront. This venue attracted notable patrons such as Michelle Obama, Susan Rice, Steven Tyler, and President Barack Obama. Fiola Mare won the RAMMY Award for Best New Restaurant in 2015 while Trabocchi himself was honored as Restaurateur of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine. In 2021, President Joe Biden dined there.
Trabocchi further broadened his portfolio with Sfoglina—a casual pasta-focused restaurant opened in Washington’s Van Ness neighborhood in 2016—followed by a second location in Rosslyn, Virginia three years later. Casa Luca underwent renovation and rebranding as another Sfoglina branch in 2018.
In 2017, he unveiled Del Mar at The Wharf on Washington’s Southwest Waterfront. This upscale Spanish coastal cuisine restaurant seats 240 guests and features an open kitchen alongside maritime-inspired décor. It earned a spot among The Washington Post’s top ten restaurants for 2018.
His international growth continued with Fiola Miami launching in November 2018. In April 2019, Trabocchi introduced Fiola at Dopolavoro Venezia within the JW Marriott Hotel in Venice—bringing his celebrated Italian culinary style to a global luxury audience.
Awards
- Recognized as one of the Best New Chefs by Food & Wine magazine in 2002
- Honored as Chef of the Year by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington in 2005
- Awarded Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic by the James Beard Foundation in 2006
- Earned a Michelin Star for Fiamma in 2009
- Named Restaurateur of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine in 2015
- Received Michelin Stars for Fiola from 2017 through 2023
- Granted a Bib Gourmand distinction for Sfoglina
Publications
Personal life
Fabio Trabocchi opened Fiola in Washington, D.C. in 2011, later expanding with Fiola Mare, Del Mar, and Sfoglina Pasta Houses. He has two children, Alice and Luca, from his first marriage to Maria, which concluded in 2019 after nineteen years. Currently, he is married to Kara Cameron Trabocchi, and together they have a son named Leonardo. The family splits their time between Washington, D.C., and Boca Raton, Florida.