A Letter from our Chef

Isabella Nicoletti

Salve! My name is Isabella Nicoletti - the chef here at Paesano. I would like to introduce myself with a little story. I came to America almost 12 years ago in search of the "golden mine". I always worked in restaurants since I was 14 years old. It sure feels like a lifetime! I’m not afraid of hard work, it’s in my blood. I come from a family of hard working people. I was lucky enough to work with what I considered great chefs. The last one, although very informative and knowledgeable, got to my nerves so badly I wanted to quit the profession completely! I decided to leave that place and take 3 months off to America (wanted to visit some relatives). Short story, I was able to get a job with Jimmy Schmidt’s new Italian chain of restaurants in the Detroit area. With no English, $3,000 in my pocket and only 1 friend who left the company 2 weeks after I moved here, I came to the States.

People were so different (still are) than back home, the system was so different, the life-style, well you get the idea. I admit I cried many tears in my beautiful bedroom (with a great walk-in closet by the way; I’ve never seen something like that before). I couldn’t go home. No way! I wanted to come to America right? Well, "suck it up Isa" I was repeating to myself. Everything will work out! All I can do is work hard as I can and have the passion for food I’ve always had and hoping people will understand with time, my message. What is my message? Keep it simple!

I’m definitely a rustic, healthy, homey chef. I hold all those memories from back home in my heart and mind and I’m trying to give it to the people on a plate. I'm so thankful to the Roddy's for believing in me here at Paesano, and I am very happy I stuck it out in America. All this will get me closer, in the right path, to my "golden mine"!

Cordiali Saluti, Isabella