The city of Fresno received a special treat, March 30 and 31. Private chef from Los Angeles, Fabio Vota will serve as a guest chef at Five Restaurant in North Fresno. Vota and his wife Natalie travel back and forth from L.A. to Fresno since part of their family resides in the valley.

Vota is originally from Salerno, a city in southern Italy and became interested in cooking at age 13 when he began culinary school. His father was the one who encouraged him to pursue this career and Vota loved it from the beginning.

Although his father prompted this profession, Vota is self-taught. Through different experiences and small jobs he was able to perfect his craft.

“I starting teaching myself how to cook,” Vota said. “I started by cooking in restaurants and hotels. By doing this I just kept learning new things over time.”

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By age 16 or 17, Vota realized that he wanted to make a career as a chef. He needed to make some money and he knew that he could make it, so he started cooking as a day job. His first big job was as the chef for the Italian soccer team in 2006, the year they won the World Cup.

Vota recalls this as the best experience of his life. Now he serves as a private celebrity chef in L.A. for stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez and many more.

“The job that I have in L.A. as a private chef for celebrities has been my favorite,” Vota said. “It is not too demanding, I can do good things and make some good livings out of it.”

The occupation of a private chef also allows flexibility for Vota. He and his wife Natalie were recently married and held receptions in both of their hometowns, Italy and Fresno. Natalie is also pregnant with the couple’s first child, so they are currently visiting Natalie’s side of the family here in the valley.

Owner of Five Restaurant, Pat LaRocca, invited Vota to serve as the guest chef and share some of his creations this past week. Vota will cook at the restaurant again this coming Tuesday, April 5.

For more about Fabio Vota, visit his website.

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This writer can be reacher via Twitter: @_olivialoren_ or via email: Olivia Quebe.