Villa Afternoon Chef

Maurizio Paparo, Chef
Excelsior Inn and Ristorante

Maurizio Paparo was born in Naples, Italy. Before moving to the U.S. he trained at the Instituto Tecnico para Turismo hospitality school in Florence, Italy. Since then he has worked in the restaurant industry for over 35 years, sharing his enthusiasm for food in Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Eugene, Oregon. His passion for high quality food and beautiful things led him to purchase the Excelsior Café in 1993. Extensive renovations began in the historic building in 1995, which created a 14 room, European-style bed and breakfast. The Excelsior Restaurant is renowned not only for its friendly, elegant, and charming atmosphere, but also for its meticulously prepared authentic Italian cuisine.

In 2000, Maurizio started Brindiamo Catering and custom designed a 40-foot, state-of-the-art commercial mobile kitchen, which enables guests to have unlimited menu possibilities at the location of their choice.

In 2007, Ciao Pizza was opened to share an authentic Italian pizzeria experience, creating dishes made in a traditional wood and gas fire oven. Maurizio has been an advocate of local, fresh and organic products from the beginning. His support of the Slow Food Movement is simply the continuation of his Italian roots. The Excelsior Farm was planted in 2008 and provides produce to all of his businesses. “It is very exciting to know that the produce on your plate was locally and responsibly grown, and was just picked! It is the freshest and most flavorful produce available.”

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