Getting to know…

Chef Damiano Schiano

Chef Damiano was born and raised in Porto Santo Stefano, Italy, on the beautiful Costa Argentario in Tuscany. He learned to cook the local seafood and traditional Tuscan dishes in his mother’s kitchen. At the tender age of 14, Damiano began his professional cooking career at Il Cavallino, a well-known restaurant frequented by the “consigneti,” the VIP, of Italy. He spent the next 16 years honing his talents and developing many specialties at Il Cavallino and Ristorante Del Greco. His pasta, fish, and risotto are dishes are seconded only by his incredible Tiramisu!

Damiano met his wife, Monica, while she was in Italy on an extended trip visiting her family in Tuscany. Once engaged, Monica asked Damiano to take a chance on a career and life in the United States, so they packed up and moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina where he accepted the position as Sous Chef at the critically acclaimed Neno Il Toscano. It wasn’t long before Damiano was offered the Head Chef position and he was proud to earn the Best of Fine Italian Dining nod from The Food Network. After eight years in Hilton Head, the Schiano’s then decided to move to the Emerald Coast to be closer to Monica’s family. Since arriving, Damiano has worked for several local restaurants, was a personal chef, and enjoyed working at Cuvee Bistro in Destin as a lunch chef serving his authentic Italian dishes.

Chef Damiano is excited to begin the next phase of his culinary adventures by offering Personal Chef and catering services for the areas of Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Rosemary Beach, Miramar Beach, and 30A.