About Gio Culinary Studio:
Gio Culinary Studio was established in 2007 and is located just 15 minutes from the city of Albany, in Voorheesville, NY. We offer hands-on cooking classes, private demonstration dinners, team building/company events, and group culinary excursions to Italy. All classes are conducted by me, Chef Gio, a professional culinary Instructor. Gio Culinary Studio was named one of the top ten cooking schools in New York State by the online publication, Best Things in New York and voted the number one cooking school in the Albany area.
About Me:
Hey there!
I’m Chef Gio (Giovanni Morina), a professional culinary instructor, and I want to teach you how to cook.
Becoming a better cook is not just about learning new recipes and simply following them blindly, it’s important that you also learn proper cooking techniques and the function of ingredients. Understanding these two basic elements will make you more confident and efficient in the kitchen. That’s my goal, to make you a better and more confident cook while having some fun.
What qualifies me to teach you?
A little background:
I’m a first generation Italian-American, born and raised in Albany, NY. I am a duel Citizen of the USA and Italy, I speak English, Italian and Sicilian.
My love for great food and cooking began as a child in my Sicilian family’s kitchen, learning alongside my mother and grandmother.
After a couple of career detours, I eventually pursued my passion for cooking and attended the ACF accredited culinary arts program at SUNY Schenectady, and graduated with honors in 1998.
Before opening Gio Culinary Studio in 2007, I worked as chef in some of the areas best food service establishments including L’Ecole Encore, Cowan & Lobel, Mallozzi’s Rotterdam, Hall of Springs, Glen Sanders Mansion, and as lead recipe developer for HERO USA.
Education and Accolades:
Over 26 years of professional cooking and teaching experience.
SUNY Schenectady A.O.S Culinary Arts
Professional Culinary Instructor
Extensive 13 years + of study in several regions of Italy with Italian Master Chefs, earning the titles of:
Maestro Pizzaiolo (Pizza Chef), Maestro Pastaio (Pasta Chef), Maestro Pasticcere (Pastry Chef)
1st Place Signature Chef Competition (Albany, NY)
1st Place Best Cooking School in Albany (Readers Choice Community Votes)
2nd Place Best Chef of the Capital Region (Times Union)
Nominated For Best Italian in the Capital Region (Times Union)
Top Ten Best New York Cooking Schools ( Best Things in New York)
Several Food Network Appearances (Food Network Challenge)
Many appearances on local tv news cooking segments.
Featured in many articles, blogs and magazines.
What else do I do?
One of my favorite and most fulfilling things to do is traveling to Italy several times a year to keep my skills fresh, and learn new things. I continue to study with the local Italian chef’s and home cooks as much as possible. I also conducts private cooking classes for tourists and travelers from all over the world at the Rosadi Tuscan Villa properties. Yes, you can come too! If you’re interested in joining me for a trip CLICK HERE. We host several Italian Culinary Trips per year, small groups with complete immersion in Italian food, wine and culture.
When needed, I consult and train restaurant kitchen staff around the local area and beyond. If your restaurant needs some help Contact Me.
Though I run a pretty tight and busy schedule, I try to donate some time to local charities and fundraiser’s every year, including volunteering as a “Sugar Angel” for the organization Icing Smiles, providing custom cakes to critically ill children and their siblings.
