The Chef

Valentino’s chef and owner is Giovanni Rocchio. Giovanni developed a passionate love for the culinary arts at the tender age of 7, mentored by his father and chef, Tony Rocchio, who opened the original Valentino’s location in Plantation, FL, in 1974. Giovanni’s talent was clearly evident at a young age as he honed his skills working at his father’s restaurant. When he became a young man, he was inspired to increase his learning, and traveled to New York and Italy to work and train in the some of the finest Italian restaurants in the world.

In 2006, Giovanni made his return to South Florida to open his own, unique Valentino’s restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, bringing a creative culinary flare that is rarely seen. Giovanni’s new restaurant instantly became the talk of the town, as guests began raving about the intriguingly innovative style of Fort Lauderdale’s hottest new chef. Giovanni’s culinary artistry is on display nightly as he pours his heart and soul into every delectable dish he creates, in the same way a composer carefully crafts a symphony. In his ongoing quest to discover and create new recipes, Giovanni enjoys collaborating with some of the top chefs from New York and Italy, who are frequent guests in Valentino’s kitchen.