Maurizio Peccolo is a world-recognized, award-winning culinary artist specializing in authentic Italian gastronomic cuisine. He brings to LUCCA more than 40 years of experience working in the kitchens of some of the most renowned restaurants around the globe.

Born in Switzerland in 1964, Maurizio returned to Venice, Italy at age 10 where his passion for Italian cooking was born. By the time he turned 16, Chef Maurizio was working in fine Italian restaurants to learn everything he could and hone his style. It was during this time that Chef Maurizio truly fell in love with his profession. His storied career has led him to several continents and international cities, where he developed his renowned style and original, avant-garde recipes.

Throughout his international career, Chef Maurizio has received many awards, among them, the esteemed “Maestro di Cucina” (Master of the Kitchen) award; and in 2004, the “Maffioli d'Oro” certificate by the Italian Hotel School as one of the top 10 students recognized during 20 years of the Culinary Institute’s existence. Chef Maurizio is also a recipient of the Italian Nationality Award for three consecutive years by the Italian Embassy with “OSPITALITA’ITALIANA,” an initiative that aims to certify the best Italian restaurants in the world. Additionally, he is an esteemed member of Chaine des Rotisseur in Venice, a worldwide Gourmet Association founded in 1950 and present in over 80 countries around the world. Recently, Chef Maurizio was an International Judge of the Tiramisù World Cup in 2021.

Chef Maurizio has also achieved many career accomplishments in the area of culinary education, among them: as founder of the Culinary Hotel School in Venice, Italy at age 16, co-founder of the Swiss Hotel & Tourism Education Consultancy Team (SHTEC), and as author of several recipe books.

Well known to aspiring Chefs for his Master Classes on cooking and for his signature kitchen team-building training & development programs, Chef Maurizio helps to cultivate an efficient, best-in-class kitchen workplace environment. His knowledge and understanding of what it takes to run an exceptional restaurant and kitchen has also led him to share his expertise through professional training and consulting for restaurants and hotels around the world.

When he’s not running his own kitchen, Chef Maurizio enjoys judging and grading culinary competitions. He has received countless merit certificates throughout his career, and the unending respect from his peers, students, and colleagues

A regular on Italian television cooking shows back home, Chef Maurizio is a favorite with viewers for his tutorials on Italian gastronomic recipes developed across the Italian peninsula, and shared around the world. He also has extensive experience as on-air talent for Italian TV culinary programming and other cooking shows.

His experience and knowledge accumulated over his many years from the culinary influence of other countries where he’s worked with various world-renowned chefs, offer LUCCA guests an superbly unmatched dining experience in the South Jersey and Greater Philadelphia regions.