Chef Roman to Lead Il Fornaio in San Francisco; Roman Northcote Appointed Chef di Cucina at the Levi's Plaza Restaurant and Bakery.

Business Editors/Food Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 2001

Founded in Italy almost 30 years ago, Il Fornaio has generally sought out native Italians to head up its kitchens at its twenty-five restaurants in the U.S.. But when recently promoted Il Fornaio executive Giuseppe Naccarelli met Roman Northcote, he immediately knew that his six-month search for his own replacement had come to an end.

A native San Diegan, Roman was born to cook. He began cooking with his mother and grandmother when he was six; he learned to read recipes before he was reading books. He went from working at his uncle's restaurant at age 13 to working the line for Charlie Trotter. When Prego Ristorante in San Francisco called, Roman leapt at chance return to California and head up his own kitchen.

Seeking to further refine his Italian culinary knowledge, Roman recently had accepted an offer to cook in Italy. But that agreement fell apart and he decided to remain in California. So when the call came from Il Fornaio, the decision to take the helm of the authentic Italian, 7-days-a-week, breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant and bakery was a natural.

"I wanted to cook in Italy," Roman explained, "but I wanted to be close to home. With its emphasis on authenticity, rotating regional menus and the resources of dozens of native Italians throughout the company, Il Fornaio is as close to Italy as you can get without leaving the States."

Marcello Cristo, General Manager of the Levi's Plaza restaurant, couldn't be more enthusiastic about his new partner. "Roman brings an energy and enthusiasm to our kitchen that we have frankly lacked since Giuseppe was promoted. We serve hundreds of guests each day, and whether it's a panino from our bakery, Sunday Brunch or a wedding rehearsal dinner, Roman's passion is evident in the quality of all the food he prepares."

Opened in 1988, Il Fornaio in San Francisco is located at 1265 Battery Street, one block west of the Embarcadero and easy walking distance from Fisherman's Wharf, the Ferry Plaza and the Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Il Fornaio features a large patio adjacent to the Lawrence Halprin-designed Levi's Plaza, private dining rooms and a menu highlighting the bread, food and wine of Italy developed collectively by the company's two-dozen Italian chef-partners. Emphasis is placed on simple, fresh ingredients and authentic Italian cooking methods. All meals are complemented by a selection of hand-made, hearth-baked breads made from scratch. For reservations or more information, please call 1-888-ITALIAN (482-5426) or visit www.ilfornaio.com.