Q: So how did someone from Tuscany end up in the heart of L. A. at one of its top restaurants?
Chef Fabio Ugoletti: After years of being a chef, I began consulting and training chefs all over Italy, and I used to teach at culinary schools, too, as a guest speaker. When I was in Florence, one of my students asked if I could travel to the U.S. to take a look at an Italian restaurant they had recently taken over that wasn’t really Italian. So, I went for 10 days … and at the end of 10 days, they asked me to come over and open another restaurant for them. At first, I said “no,” but my wife and kids were all for it. so six months later, we were all in Redondo Beach. And, yes. It was QUITE a change!
Q: When did you move over to the West Hollywood location?
Chef Fabio: After we got the restaurant up and running in Redondo, we decided to open N10 in West Hollywood, and we got that open in March 2015.
Q: What do you think made N10 so successful from the start?
Chef Fabio: Definitely the choice of ingredients we use. Of course, we’re using authentic Italian recipes, and we’re preparing them exactly the same way we do in Italy, but the key is making everything from scratch with the very best ingredients. We don’t skimp on anything. We buy our oils and fish from Italy and buy our calamari fresh each morning before it’s even had a chance to be frozen. It doesn’t matter how simple it is. When you use the best ingredients, it’s going to be amazing.
Q: This is your first year at OC Chef’s Table. Why did your L. A. based restaurant decide to participate in a mostly-O.C. event?
Chef Fabio: Well, these chefs are amazing. These are the chefs you read about, even up in L.A. I’ve never had the opportunity to work with so many top chefs in one room before, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them on the evening of our event. When you’re a chef, you live in your kitchen; there’s not a lot of time to visit other chefs, let alone in the O.C. I think it’s going to be a very fun event.
Q: Had you heard of Illumination Foundation before?
Chef Fabio: No, it was introduced to me when we were asked to participate. At our Chef’s Breakfast, when the Co-Founder Paul Leon got up to speak about what they do, it really hit home then and there. These people are doing really great things for our neighbors, people who are struggling. There’s really no better magic than bringing your culinary skill to your table while they bring their talent and skill to helping so many thousands of people.
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The top chefs in Orange County (along with a few surprise visiting chefs) are getting together again for the renowned OC Chef’s Table at Disneyland® Resort on March 3, 2019.
In its 6th year, OC Chef’s Table continues to help Illumination Foundation raise funds to provide permanent housing and services for homeless adults and children. With OC’s most imaginative chefs creating one-of-a-kind magical menus, it’s no wonder OC Chef’s Table is one of the most coveted gala tickets of the year.
See all 40+ chefs participating and secure your ticket at OCChefsTable.com. And, get to know this year’s phenomenal chefs as Diane Armitage sits down with each, asking 5 questions in just 5 minutes …