FOOD & WINE
ita l ia n fa m i ly food ARTICLE SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THE MAGGIORE GROUP
THE LATE TOMASO MAGGIORE WAS A CULINARY HERO IN THE VALLEY FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES, OPENING HIS FIRST RESTAURANT, TOMASO’S, ON 32ND STREET AND CAMELBACK
ROAD
ALONGSIDE
HIS
WIFE
PATRICIA MAGGIORE. Born and raised in Sicily, Tomaso learned how to cook by preparing meals in the kitchen with his mother. Sicily is where his passion started to create dishes with quality, well-sourced ingredients. He had an American dream to come to the US—the land of opportunity—and moved to New York City at age 19. After growing tired of the cold East Coast winters, he moved to the warm weather in Arizona. It was here his dream came true when he opened Tomaso’s. It still serves fine Italian cuisine in its original location. Joey Maggiore, Tomaso’s son, always admired his father’s magnetic personality, charisma and culinary talents. He started working in Tomaso’s at a young age to learn how to make fresh pasta, meatballs, pasta sauces and all of his father’s time-tested Italian recipes. He went on to be a server and front-of-the-house manager before opening his own restaurants in San Diego. Joey Maggiore returned to Arizona and opened Hash Kitchen in 2015, followed by The Sicilian Butcher in 2017. Joey has a passion to carry on his father’s legacy and his father’s love for food, wine, family and creating a memorable dining experience. TheSicilianButcher.com
14
North Peoria Lifestyle | October 2021