Feb 02 - 04 2025
Rocco DiSpirito is a James Beard award-winning Italian-American chef, New York Times bestselling author, and beloved television personality based in New York City.
Rocco DiSpirito is a world-renowned chef, James Beard Award-winning author, and television personality whose culinary expertise has captivated audiences for decades. With fourteen cookbooks to his name—including three New York Times bestsellers—DiSpirito has established himself as a leader in gourmet and health-conscious cooking. His innovative approach to cuisine, coupled with his deep commitment to making healthy food delicious, has earned him a place among the most influential chefs of his generation. He is also well-known for his fireside chats and keynote speaking. Rocco DiSpirito is available to be booked for corporate and private events. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Rocco DiSpirito’s fees.
Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-510-6607 to book Rocco DiSpirito for corporate or private events, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances. Our agency will work directly with your organization and our keynote speakers to create an unforgettable event.
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Born and raised in Queens, New York, Rocco DiSpirito’s love for food began in his mother’s kitchen. Under her guidance, he developed a deep appreciation for fresh ingredients and traditional Italian-American flavors. His passion led him to the Culinary Institute of America at just sixteen years old, where he honed his skills before continuing his education at Boston University, earning a degree in business.
At twenty, Rocco was working in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, training under legendary chefs such as Gray Kunz in France. He returned to New York to work at Lespinasse, a restaurant that earned a four-star review from The New York Times during his tenure. Then at thirty-one, he opened Union Pacific, a restaurant that became an instant sensation, known for its bold flavors and artistry. In fact, Ruth Reichl’s New York Times review of Union Pacific began with an image of the woman at the table next to her moaning in ecstasy and awarded the restaurant three stars.
Rocco’s meteoric rise continued when he became the face of the NBC reality series The Restaurant, which followed the launch of Rocco’s on 22nd. His mother, Nicolina, was a beloved figure on the show, serving her famous meatballs and helping cement Rocco’s status as America’s original “Rockstar Chef.” His influence extended beyond the kitchen, making him a household name and the first chef to truly blend culinary excellence with mainstream entertainment.
With three New York Times bestsellers, Rocco’s success in the literary world mirrors his achievements in the kitchen. His first cookbook, Flavor, won a James Beard Award, and subsequent books like The Negative Calorie Diet and Now Eat This! showcase his dedication to making healthy eating accessible without sacrificing taste. After a personal health scare that led to emergency spinal surgery in 2015, DiSpirito made it his mission to help people lead healthier lives through food. His latest book, Everyday Delicious, further reinforces his commitment to easy, nutritious, and flavorful cooking.
A dynamic television presence, Rocco has been a fixture on Food Network, Bravo, and national talk shows. Specifically, his shows Melting Pot, The Restaurant, and Rocco Gets Real each achieved widespread popularity on their respective networks. He has appeared on Guy’s Grocery Games, Top Chef, Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, and Wildcard Kitchen, often competing—and winning—against some of the best chefs in the industry. Rocco has also appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Chelsea Lately, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live, NBC’s The Biggest Loser, and was the first chef to compete on the ABC megahit Dancing with the Stars. His charisma and skill have made him a fan favorite across multiple platforms.
Rocco DiSpirito’s career is a testament to his unwavering passion for food and ability to evolve with the ever-changing culinary landscape. Whether in a Michelin-starred kitchen, on television, or in the pages of his bestselling books, he continues to inspire home cooks and professional chefs alike with a career that seamlessly blends tradition, innovation, and entertainment. Rocco DiSpirito is available for speaking engagements, cooking demonstrations, and corporate events. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to bring his expertise and energy to your next event.
Find out how to hire Rocco DiSpirito to appear at your next event. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group to inquire about Rocco DiSpirito’s availability and cost. When booking Rocco DiSpirito for an event, we need to know the type of venue and location the event will take place. Rocco DiSpirito is a popular choice for corporate events, private events, and virtual events. So, you can click the Check Availability button or contact us and an MPG Rocco DiSpirito booking agent will get back to you within 48 hours.
How much to book Rocco DiSpirito depends on the type of event. So, the cost to hire Rocco DiSpirito for corporate or private events is available by contacting a Mollie Plotkin Group Agent. Notably, Rocco DiSpirito is available for conferences, festivals, private parties, and events. Just contact the Mollie Plotkin Group and tell the booking agent the proposed date, time, and location.
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NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The #1 New York Times bestselling author and celebrity chef offers fast and flavorful recipes to help anyone cook like a chef in 30 minutes(ish) or less—every day of the week.
Finding himself at home more during the pandemic and in the hybrid world that followed, James Beard Award–winning author and chef Rocco DiSpirito rediscovered for the first time in decades the joy of cooking for and savoring weekday meals with his family and friends, something that was not a regular occurrence when he was working in a busy restaurant or as celebrity chef on the go.
Of course, as a home cook preparing nightly family meals, Rocco also experienced the fatigue of spending hours planning and cooking every night rather than sitting at the table enjoying family and friends. That’s what inspired this book: a collection of 100 no-fuss weekday meals to help you cook like a chef every night, in about thirty minutes or less. Every recipe is full of flavor and is sure to be a hit with the entire family. Recipes include many of Rocco’s favorites from over the years, plus all-new dishes, as well as classic Italian dishes from his childhood, including Mama Nicolina’s Cavatelli with Broccoli Rabe and Sweet Sausage, Linguine Vongole, Everyday Pesto Orzo Caprese Salad, Salmon Miso Marmalade, Tuna Avocado Furikake Crudo, Hot Chili BBQ Ribs, and more.
This book is all about simple ingredients, lots of flavor, and efficient cooking. It’s sure to become the essential cookbook for everyday dinners that everyone will love.
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