Nicholas Stefanelli
Nicholas Stefanelli | |
|---|---|
| Born | Maryland, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, Restaurateur |
| Known for | Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Masseria |
Nicholas Stefanelli is a distinguished American chef and restaurateur based in Washington, D.C., celebrated for his Michelin-starred Italian dining establishment, Masseria.
Early life
Stefanelli was born in Maryland and possesses both Greek and Italian heritage, with familial origins tracing back to the Apulia area in southern Italy. During his time at DeMatha Catholic High School, he pursued baseball until a foot injury curtailed his athletic ambitions. Following graduation, he relocated to Italy intending to pursue a career in fashion in Milan. However, his experiences across cities such as Rome, Florence, Assisi, and Venice sparked a passion for Italian culinary arts.
He subsequently enrolled at L’Academie de Cuisine located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, initiating his professional journey under the mentorship of Roberto Donna at Galileo in Washington, D.C.. Stefanelli further refined his skills working alongside Fabio Trabocchi at Maestro in Tysons Corner, Virginia, later accompanying him to Fiamma in New York City. After Fiamma closed its doors in 2009, Stefanelli undertook a stage at The French Laundry in California.
In 2009, restaurateur Ashok Bajaj appointed Stefanelli as the executive chef responsible for menu creation at Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca in D.C. The restaurant garnered significant praise and was recognized by Esquire as one of America’s premier new dining venues. That same year, Stefanelli earned the "Rising Culinary Star" distinction at the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (Rammy) Awards.
Masseria and Officina
Stefanelli departed from Bibiana in 2014 to establish his own venture, Masseria, named after the traditional farm estates found in Italy's Apulia region. Opening its doors in August 2015, Masseria became the first independent restaurant within Union Market. By October 2016, it had secured a Michelin Star as part of Washington’s inaugural Michelin Guide edition. The restaurant was honored with the Rammy Award for Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year in 2018.
Expanding his portfolio, Stefanelli launched Officina in October 2018—a three-level Italian trattoria, café, and market situated at The Wharf, a newly developed area along Washington's Southwest Waterfront. Later that year, he revealed intentions to introduce a Greek-themed restaurant located in downtown Washington, D.C.
Awards
- 2010 Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMMY), Rising Culinary Star.
- 2017 Michelin Star (Masseria), Michelin Guide.
- 2018 RAMMY Award, Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year (Masseria).