Donatella Arpaia is an accomplished celebrity chef, dynamic restaurateur, television personality, author, entrepreneur, and most importantly a wife and mother of three. Donatella’s passion for food was formed at a very young age. As the child of first-generation Italian immigrants, her summers were spent in Italy on her mother’s farm in Puglia and in her father’s hometown of Naples, growing up in the kitchens of his restaurants. Her culinary career began at age 26, when she left her job as a corporate lawyer after six months to follow her true calling. At the age of 27, she opened her first restaurant, Bellini, in New York City. By 29, Zagat had named Donatella as “Hostess with the Mostest,” as she was known for her impeccable front-of-house hospitality and skills. At age 29, Donatella opened david burke & donatella, the number one rated restaurant in New York City, which garnered several James Beard Awards. She then opened seven other highly acclaimed restaurants, including Anthos, Mia Dona, Kefi and Eos. These restaurants all received several James Beard Nominations, Michelin Stars and 5-Star Diamond Awards. In 2016, Donatella debuted her first quick-service pizza concept, Prova Pizzabar, located in Grand Central Terminal. A year later, she opened her second location in the Moxy NYC Times Square hotel. Donatella’s lifestyle brand expanded in 2019 when she became the face of Galbani Professionale in the United States. Most recently, she formed a partnership with Philips Kitchen Appliances North America. As their brand ambassador, Donatella will be introducing exclusive new recipes, instructional videos, live cooking sessions, product giveaways, and more on phillipskitchenbydonatella.com. Donatella is well known to viewers at home as the head judge on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” and “The Next Iron Chef.” She makes regular appearances on national television shows such as ABC’s “Good Morning America,” NBC’s “TODAY Show,” ABC’s “Live with Kelly & Ryan,” and Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay.”
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