Speech for Lil’ Vinny’s co-owner, Tony Migliore
By: Cristina Nesta
Good
evening everyone and thank you all for attending Lil’ Vinny’s first ever Battle
of the Chefs. This is a big night for our little restaurant on
As some of you might already know, I’m Tony Migliore, co-owner of Lil’ Vinny’s. And as some of you probably already know I opened the restaurant six years ago with my brother Vinny Migliore, who is one of our chefs cooking for us tonight.
Our two other chefs cooking tonight are Merl Ashby and Yoseph Vacca, both of which have been with us since opening.
Vinny, Merl and Yoseph have been working all week long perfecting their entrées in preparation for this night. In fact, I think they’ve been preparing for years for this night. They’ve all graduated from different culinary institutes across New England and as co-owner of Lil’ Vinny’s, I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are very fortunate to have such talent cooking for us tonight and every night.
It wasn’t too long ago that Vinny and I were working at our uncle’s restaurant; he was the manager and I was a waiter. And now he’s the head chef … and I’m still a waiter! But all kidding aside, I truly mean it when I say that I am thankful for every customer that walks in here and every employee that leaves here at night. If it wasn’t for all of you, we wouldn’t be here tonight, and so I thank you.
I
also would like to take this opportunity to mention the Somerville Journal,
whose journalists are here tonight. Since our opening in 2000, they have
supported us in the years leading up to this point. Without them voting us Best
in Dining experience and Best Italian restaurant, we wouldn’t have gotten the
exposure we needed to attract new customers. With out that, we might not have
been as successful. I also would like to thank them for covering our
I’ve had a chance to sample all the dishes, and let me tell you, the duty to choose only one is going to be extremely difficult. I’m glad it’s up to all of you though and not me; that way my brother can’t blame me if he doesn’t win!
Each chef has come up with his own unique dish, while still keeping with the Italian traditions we all know and love. I hope you will all enjoy all the meals our chefs have spent many hours preparing, as well as the company of good family and good friends!
Don’t forget that the tonight’s winner will be announced in this Thursday’s issue of the Somerville Journal.
Thanks again for coming out tonight! Salute and Bon appetite!