Introducing Chef Roberto Donna
Born in the Piedmont region of Italy, Roberto Donna arrived in Washington, DC at the age of 19 with almost a lifetime of cooking school education from his native Torino and throughout Europe. On October 31, 1984, he opened Galileo and gained a strong following in the DC Metropolitan area. The addition of his Laboratorio and Osteria has made Chef Donna's restaurant a destination for those seeking the best in Italian cuisine.
Wine Spectator has called Galileo one of the “10 Best Italian Restaurants in America,” and has continuously honored Chef Donna with its Grand Award of Excellence for Galileo's comprehensive wine selection since 1997. Among the many accolades bestowed upon Chef Donna one of the most notable came in 1996 when Galileo was named one of the twenty finest Italian restaurants in the world by the President of Italy.
Roberto is an active supporter of the DC Central Kitchen, the American Institute of Wine & Food, Share Our Strength and The James Beard Foundation, and numerous other charitable organizations. His civic-minded activities are an important part of his life and are his way of giving back to the community that has helped him succeed in achieving his dreams.
Awards and Achievements:
- Chef of the Year 2004 and 1990 – Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington
- Washingtonian Magazine Blue Ribbon Award Winner, 1990–Present
- Recipient: 5 Star Diamond Award – American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, 2001
- 2001 Immigrant Achievement Award – The American Immigration Law Foundation
- Published cookbook "Cooking in Piedmont", by Roberto Donna – 1997
- Insegna Del Ristorante Italiano, 1996
- Winner: The James Beard Award for Best Chef/Mid-Atlantic Region, 1996
- Inductee: The Fine Dining Hall of Fame, the Nation's Restaurant News, 1996
- Traveler's Choice Award, reader selected Washington Flyer Magazine, June 1996
- Restaurateur of the Year, 1995 - Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington
- Achievement Award, 1992 – Italian Wine & Food Institute
- President's Humanitarian Award, 1992 – American Culinary Federation
- The Caterina de Medici Award, 1991 – Federazione Italiana Cuochi
- The Chef of America Award, 1991 – Master Chef's Society
Recent Spokesperson Appearances:
- Chef Ambassador, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board – 2004-2005
- Spokesperson, Barilla Pasta 2003-2005
A Sampling of Roberto's Televised Appearances:
- Iron Chef America – TV Food Network – March, 2005; Rematch May, 2006
- The Today Show – Segment with Katie Couric in Torino during the 2006 Olympics
- The Fretz Kitchen – CN8 – Greater Philadelphia – 2004, 2005, June 2006
- “Wine, Food and Friends with Karen Macneil” – Winter 2005
- “In Julia's Kitchen with Master Chefs” – 1995
