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jrsantorelli@gmail.com
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I want to bring the pleasure of immigrant comfort food to the forefront. I am inspired by my upbringing in a literal melting pot of culutures and diversity. My goal is to open my own Chicago style Pizzeria and Sandwich shop to share the joy and flavor of that food.
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Rosati's of Encinitas
Line Cook
The International Culinary School at the Art Institute
United States
San Diego
CA
About

I had just passed my 20 year mark in the United States Navy. At the time I was running a recruiting office in my home city, Chicago. Directly in front of my office was one of the best "hot dog stands " in Chicago, Jeff's. I always had an affinity for foods I can only get in Chicago. These foods being hot dogs, Italian Beef, Deep Dish Pizza, superb Thin Crust Pizza, etc. Steve, the owner of Jeff's, I always noticed pretty much worked as hard (maybe harder) as I did and our hours were similar. One night as I was the only person left in my office, it dawned on me. Why not have the same quality of Chicago street food, but in a place where the choices are very slim and I know the demand is high, because I was, for a long time, a Sailor in sunny San Diego, just wanting a good hot dog or Italian Beef, but they were impossible to find. Yes, I wanted to open my shop in San Diego, catering to the Sailor from "home " looking for superb Pizza, Hot Dogs, Beef.....Chicago Comfort food! It was that day that set me on the path to Art Institute in San Diego to learn classical techniques. On the advise of a great Barbecuer, Will Sahli, he mentioned he went to Le Cordon Bleu and that learning Classical techniques greatly helped him in becoming one of Illinois great BBQ cooks. One year prior to my retirement I enrolled at the Art Institute of California- San Diego. Since then I have been exposed to so much in the culinary world I was unaware of. I always was curious with cooking and baking, but I now have the knowledge to execute and create. I hope to one day share my love of Chicago Street Foods with the populace of San Diego!