Fiore Tedesco

“Once a drummer in a punk rock band, Fiore Tedesco found that food struck a chord with him as meaningfully as music did. Born into a family of Italian immigrants and growing up in Troy, New York, he worked in his cousin’s bakery and deli throughout his teens. It wasn’t until he had careers in fashion then as a punk rock drummer that he really caught the industry bug. After cooking at staples like Roberta’s and Gramercy Tavern, Tedesco headed for Austin, where he worked at La Condesa, Franklin’s Barbecue, and Bufalina with Rising Stars alum Steven Dilley. Tedesco continued to build his brand and experiment with his own concepts on the side. In 2013, he began hosting pop-up dinners and private events in the Austin area under the name L’Oca d’Oro. Three years later, he transformed the pop-up into a full blown brick-and-mortar, winning a Rising Stars award in 2017.

As executive chef and owner, Tedesco presents seasonally driven, locally sourced Italian dishes that pay homage to his family roots. L’Oca d’Oro is also a sanctuary restaurant that works with ROC United to raise wages, benefits, and overall industry standards. With Tedesco’s dedication to creating a stable work environment and prioritizing mental health for his staff, L’Oca d’Oro has become a spot for young industry professionals to learn and grow under the guidance of a seasoned chef. Tedesco is also expanding the L’Oca d’Oro family, with a pizza restaurant, Bambino, set to open in Austin later this year.”