With deep Italian roots and a fiery passion for food, I bring a bold mix of creativity, heritage, and hands-on experience to the kitchen. Growing up surrounded by family who ruled kitchens in Italy and beyond, I learned early on that great food isn’t just a meal — it’s a vibe, an experience, and a story worth telling.

For over 30 years, I’ve been on a global quest to sharpen my culinary edge, traveling the world on food tours through Europe, Asia, Africa, Hawaii, and California — not to mention dreamy spots like the Amalfi Coast, Mallorca, Tokyo and Morocco. Along the way, I’ve broken bread (and sometimes rules) with world renowned chefs, sharing late-night cocktail-fueled conversations about food, wine, culinary trends and techniques that kept us buzzing until the wee hours.

In 2024, I turned up the heat by cooking for many of Toronto’s east side restaurant and bar friends, including owners, chefs, servers and bartenders. These friendships started back in 2022 when I spent time learning the ropes of the restaurant industry at Poor Romeo in Leslieville, Toronto, where I flirted with the idea of opening my own restaurant and fell head over heels for the vibrant restaurant industry in my home town.

As Creative Director of my own agency, Studio 141 and Rogers Media, I spent years collaborating with top chefs and food stylists, directing food shoots for several magazines. My desk? Oh, just steps from the Chatelaine magazine test kitchen, where I constantly daydreamed about swapping my creative briefs for a chef’s apron. Those experiences were the perfect recipe for combining my love of food with my knack for storytelling and design.

Inspired by my family’s culinary legacy and my son’s upcoming journey into culinary school, I’m ready to bring my vision to life in the food and beverage world.

Now, I’m on a mission to shake up the scene, building a culinary team of my own at Yes!Chef that values authenticity, collaboration, and the electric joy of bringing people together over exceptional cuisine.

Now if someone says “let’s cook up something unforgettable!” my answer is always “Yes!Chef.”

Sincerely,
Dave Curcio
Yes!Chef