Born in Cremona, Italy, Massimo climbed the career ladder by working in Italy’s best restaurants and hotels. His culinary training began in Salsomaggiore, Parma and from there he moved on to the Trattoria dall' Amelia in Mestre, Venice, considered one of the best restaurants in Italy at the time. He spent several years in various Hotels such as Hotel Royal in Courmayeur, Val d’Aosta, a luxury class hotel at the foot of Monte Bianco, Hotel Savoy and Drei Tannen restaurant in San Martino di Castrozza in the dolomite. He worked for three years under contract with Gallia Hotels, staging between all of the properties witch included the famous Excelsior Gallia Hotel and Cavour Hotel in Milano, Rio Envers Hotel in San Sicario an exclusive community in the Alps and the Excelsior Gallia Hotel in Punta Ala, a very exclusive community in Toscana. Yearning to work overseas, Massimo boarded a plane in 1982 and landed in Toronto to work at, “Archers,” a restaurant owned by a relative, since Archers was noted as a “social” restaurant, Massimo used his experience there to master the English language and his own style. In 1989, he met Michael Carlevale of famed Prego and was offered a position as chef. “Prego” became one of the most important restaurants in Toronto during his nine-year stay there. Working with Michael Carlevale, Massimo helped develop the concept of Carlevale’s Black & Blue Restaurant and Byzantium. In 1997, Massimo felt the urge for something different, and he merged forces with Paolo Paolini, formerly of Splendido Restaurant. Mistura Restaurant was opened in October, 1997, to a very receptive public. The exclusive SOPRA UPPER LOUNGE is the latest addition to Massimo’s list; since August of 2006 Sopra has become a favourite among many of Toronto live music lovers. Massimo currently is a regular guest expert onCITY TV Cityline and a chef host on the hit series restaurant makeover on theFOOD NETWORK. Massimoalso has a lengthy list of television appearances from local breakfast shows and TV magazines including; Global TV, TLN, OMNI, CTV, CITY TV, CHCH, Rogers Cable Toronto. Massimo has appeared as a guest and sometime co-host in several cooking shows; THE BEER BUDDIES, THE MOVABLE FEAST, CHEF WORTHY, CRISTINE CUSHING LIVE, THREE TAKES and THE MOM SHOW & BUDDIES OF THE VINE. As if these commitments didn’t make him busy enough, Massimo found time to author a new cook book entitled ONE POT ITALIAN and regularly writes for The Globe and Mail Life section.