For Chef Bill, food has always been more than a profession — it’s a calling rooted in tradition, family, and community.
His culinary journey began at age 11 in his father’s pizzeria in Garfield, New Jersey, where he started out answering phones and taking orders. As soon as he was tall enough to reach the ovens, he was making pizzas himself. Eventually, he ran the shop, carrying with him the values of hard work, hospitality and heart.
“I learned the importance of tradition in that kitchen,” Chef Bill says. “Those early days shaped everything I do now.”
Over the years, his path led him through nearly every corner of the food industry — from line cook at Rustler’s Steakhouse and IHOP to managing full-service restaurants and working as a chef for large institutions. He studied hotel and restaurant management at Bergen Community College and later cooked with Gourmet Dining and CulinArt Group, where he handled high-volume service at pharmaceutical companies, corporate offices, private schools, and Montclair State University — often crafting personalized, dietary-specific meals.
Still, one thing remained constant: his deep love for food and the joy of creating meaningful, memorable experiences around it.
That passion runs deep — not just from restaurants, but from home. Bill grew up watching his mother and grandfather prepare traditional Italian and Sicilian recipes with love and care. “The first dish I ever made was stuffed onions,” he recalls. “I used to write to an Italian cooking show as a kid, and they’d mail me recipes on index cards.”
A heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery changed everything. “It reminded me how short life is, and how important it is to do what you love — now,” he shares.
That moment inspired him to launch Piatto Di Pasta, a business offering hands-on pasta-making classes and events across New Jersey. From birthday parties and bachelorette nights to team-building events, each gathering centers on fresh pasta, good conversation, and authentic connection.
“This isn’t just a job,” he says. “It’s who I am. It’s how I connect with people. It’s my way of giving back.”
A Note from Chef Bill
I’ll be the first to admit — I’m no Hemingway or Shakespeare. But I wanted to put into words what I truly feel:
“For me, Piatto Di Pasta isn’t just about food. It’s about laughter in the kitchen, stories shared over rolling pins, and reconnecting with the traditions that made us who we are. This is what I grew up with — fresh dough, big family dinners, and time-honored recipes passed down with love.
I started this business to bring people together — to slow down, create something by hand, and experience the joy of cooking the way our grandparents did. Whether it’s your first time making pasta or your hundredth, my goal is to make every event feel like home.
Thank you to everyone who’s supported me so far. And to those I haven’t cooked with yet — I hope we meet soon.”
– Chef Bill
For more information visit piattodipastanj.com.