A CLOSER LOOK

Applauded as an artist in the hospitality industry, Jacopo Falleni is deeply immersed in the facets of his craft. Born and raised in Florence, Italy, he excelled in an intensive Hotel and Restaurant Management curriculum, graduating with high honors from the Instituto Professional per I Servizi Alberghieri.

Jacopo believes travel is essential for acquiring culture and knowledge, which inspired his move to Southern California in 2004. His first venture outside Italy began in New York City, where he opened Il Gelatin, the first homemade Italian Gelato shop in Manhattan. The store quickly became successful, distributing to New York’s finest groceries and restaurants, including Dean and Deluca. For several years, Jacopo owned and managed Firenze Osteria (Toluca Lake, CA), Café Firenze (Moorpark, CA), and Nonna (Westlake Village, CA), overseeing all restaurant and bar operations. He continually refined the skills of his staff, imparting attitudes of warmth, dignity, and grace.

Jacopo has co-authored the Café Firenze cookbook and appeared on TV shows such as “The Real Housewives of Orange County”, “Life after Top Chef,” and various morning shows. His appearances also extend to the Hallmark Channel’s “Home and Family” show and resident mixologist on the podcast “Drinking Made Easy” with Zane Lamprey, a celebrity comedian. Jacopo is also known for creating weekly recipes of cherished Italian dishes, innovative cocktails, and ‘feel good’ content for his social media platforms and sites such as liquor.com and foodchannel.com. Serving as a true testament to Jacopo’s impact in the industry, in July of 2024, one of his videos went viral on YouTube, surpassing 131 million views. His globally known content blends humor with authentic Italian cooking, bringing the joy of food to millions while maintaining the high standards and passion behind his restaurant’s success.