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The Ten Most Recent Comments By masterchefjoseph

From Serious Eats

A Good Chef Fell and Nobody Noticed

Vinny was a close friend and supporter of my career and my food. He was one of my biggest fans and I one of his. I was first introduced to him by Mario Batali in 1996 and worked for him at Fresco. With his death I have lost a moral and professional compass and the world has lost a larger than life human being and one of a kind Chef. He treated my family as his family and was never shy to share an opinion. We shared a magical trip to Venice a few years back which was made all the more interesting by having Vinny as a tour guide (the most autocratic tour guide on the face of the earth, but he was always right !). We dined together twice in the week before his death and I am now grateful to have spent those few hours with him. I think of him everyday.
Joseph A Cacace

masterchefjoseph at 1:27PM on 06/12/07

Responses to Comments by masterchefjoseph

From Serious Eats

A Good Chef Fell and Nobody Noticed

I can't begin to tell you how I felt when I went into Gonzo this evening 7-19-07 with my girlfriends and when I asked if Vinnie was there this evening, the Hostess looked at me very sadly and told me of Vinnie's passing... I am from Nj and Vinnie has been a very dear friend of mine for the past 7 years. From his house down the NJ shore, to Scopa and to Gonzo, I will always remember the dear friend I have now lost. I almost fell on the ground and to this moment am still very shocked. How this news was not posted in any newspaper is just beyond me.. He was one of the most creative, remarkable and funniest people I have ever met, and because there was no mention of it, I couldn't even go to the wake and give him a respectful, friendly Goodbye! I always thought and will always think he was one of the best Chefs ever.. I had a mashed potato and corn pizza tonight Vin, it tasted just like you used to make for me.... I will continue to dine at Gonzo Donna, and more often now than ever.... Rest in Peace good friend, you will be forever missed until we meet again.......
Vicky Iandoli

missvickynj at 11:36PM on 07/19/07

From Serious Eats

A Good Chef Fell and Nobody Noticed

So sad to see a fellow Chef go so young. He and I were always at each other, jokingly we would say that each others food sucked! but when we went out to eat he would come to Candela {where I was the Chef} and i would go to Fresco. He was fun to go out for drinks with, Chris Walsh and Vinnie were always up for a party. Sad indeed.
Chef Michael Gilligan
Conrad Miami

madgilligan at 11:27AM on 07/16/07