BENVENUTO!

Chef Paola Santagati, owner and operator of Italia Cuisine Co. headquartered in Orlando, Florida, was honored as Personal Chef of the Year during the 2016 United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA) National Conference in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 9.

Chef Paola began her business in 2000 and has been a member of the United States Personal Chef Association since 2011. She became a Certified Personal Chef earlier this year. Chef Paola was born in Sicily, Italy, and cooks authentic Italian dishes for weekly services, romantic dinners for two, dinner parties, on-site catering, pasta parties, intimate weddings, and more.

The Chef of the Year must be nominated by a fellow member of the USPCA. Criteria for this award include innovations in their business, community outreach, mentoring or volunteer work, and success in the Personal Chef field.

"We are incredibly proud of Chef Paola for this recognition from her peers," said USPCA President Larry Lynch. "Paola has been dedicated to the Personal Chef profession for over a decade and has been an active and involved member of the Central Florida community. She is a wonderful chef and is well deserving of this award. "

Judges for this annual competition consisted of professional members within the United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA). The award was presented at the USPCA's National Personal Chef Conference in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 9. The conference drew Personal Chefs from throughout North America. More information about Paola Santagati's Personal Chef Service can be found on her website .