Food and Drink / Lancashire Chef Profiles / Giovanni Iozzi - Chef Profile

Giovanni Iozzi - Chef Profile

Giovanni was born in 1964 in the village of Cetraro in the region of Calabria situated at the toe of Italy. Giovanni's interest in food started at the age of ten when Giovanni enjoyed helping out at one of the local family restaurants in the village. He watched the chef patron Signor Saraceni prepare the regional specialities which included the mornings fresh catch of the day. Giovanni also acquired his inspiration for all things culinary by spending many an hour watching his Mother prepare supper for the family.

At 14-years-old Giovanni attended catering school in the nearby town of Guardia. He studied catering for 5 years where he gained valuable experience in all areas of the industry. During the summer months away from catering school Giovanni worked at a large hotel in one of the main tourist resorts were he was an apprentice chef.

In 1981 Giovanni became a fully qualified chef and decided to come to England to take up a chef's position at 'Tiggis', Preston where he worked for just over 3 years.

In 1985 Giovanni opened his own Italian take-away in Avenham Street, Preston called 'Snack Italia 85', specialising in Pizza, Pasta an Italian desserts. Giovanni enjoyed running his own business and then became a partner in the restaurant 'Bella Roma' situated in Friargate, Preston.

In 2001 Giovanni decided to open his own family restaurant - 'Fresco Fresco' in the village of Croston near Chorley. Since opening the restaurant it has gone from strength to strength and now has an excellent reputation in the county.

Fresco Fresco is one of the only real authentic Italian restaurants in Lancashire with practically all family running the restaurant. The surroundings are stylish and welcoming with an atmosphere that will make you feel relaxed and part of the family. Giovanni's signature dish is 'Filleto Fresco Fresco' - Fillet steak with Cray fish tails in a lobster sauce. If you enjoy pasta - then try 'Penne Giovanni' - Penne pasta sautéed with seasonal vegetables, cherry tomatoes, chilli, olive oil and basil topped with parmesan shavings - delicious!

Giovanni is proud of the fact that at Fresco Fresco's his customers are his friends. Delicious food comes as standard, which is traditional Italian cuisine with a Calabrian Influence. The menu at Fresco Fresco is always seasonal, fresh and locally sourced (hence why he named the restaurant Fresco Fresco as the name literally means 'Fresh Fresh'). Zio Paulo (a family friend) who has a market garden in the nearby village of Parbold, grows all Fresco Fresco's fruit and vegetables to order!

Fresco Fresco has recently acquired the Taste Lancashire 'Quality Assured' Mark and the restaurant constantly gets rave reviews in the local press.

Giovanni invites you to meet him and his family at Fresco Fresco - to enjoy traditional Italian cuisine in a warm and friendly atmosphere.