CHEF CARMELO MURONI
Chef Carmelo Muroni is a world-class culinary Chef originally from Sardinia, Italy. Growing up in a small, mountainous village, Muroni's family had a great deal of land, where they grew grain and made their own olive oil and wine. Muroni studied the culinary arts, learned Italian Northern Cuisine, and obtained his Culinary Certificate from Alghero Culinary College in Sardinia, Italy in 1980. At the young age of 22, he became a Sous Chef at an Italian Restaurant in Italy called Gino's and ran the restaurant himself just a year later. In 1985, Muroni made the brave decision to move to the United States. He has been a part of the Hampton Roads community for over thirty years. Muroni has served as the Executive Chef in many restaurants in our community, including the Second Street Restaurant & Tavern, Foggs Restaurant, and Sorry Sara's. In 2007, Muroni opened his own restaurant in Chesapeake, VA, Muroni's Mediterranean Cuisine. In 2009, Muroni was looking for a change and made the decision to become the Executive Chef of the Amber Lantern Restaurant, where he remains today. Over the years, Muroni has participated in numerous charitable events, lending his culinary talents to benefit the March of Dimes, the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, and the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula. Muroni has also been active in local educational endeavors, including participating in seafood education seminars at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science Chef's Seafood Symposium at The College of William & Mary for many years. In addition to charitable and educational events, Muroni has also been an active participant in a number of local cooking competitions and has received many accolades. Throughout his career, Muroni has had the opportunity to cook for a multitude of people, including notable names, such as Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, and Muhammad Ali. One of the greatest honors of Chef Muroni's career was cooking for The Welcome to Jamestown Ceremony for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2007. Muroni says, "It's been a crazy, but very good 32 years in this country." He says living in the U.S. has opened him up to many new cuisines, new flavors, and new presentations. His belief is to always use fresh herbs and fresh ingredients. Muroni prides himself when he says, "We only buy the best quality ingredients." Muroni values keeping up with the times and being progressive when it comes to new cooking styles and techniques. Muroni says his favorite place to be is in the kitchen on the line working with his staff. On his days off, Muroni enjoys spending time with his wife, Alisha, his two children, and three grandchildren.