We had the good fortune of connecting with Rocco Pezzano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rocco, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Standing out amidst other restaurants in the hospitality industry is key, but you want to do it the right way. What I am most proud of, and what makes us most unique is two points: authenticity in dishing up real Italian food and being a true family-owned business. I think customers recognize a shrinking market share of family-owned businesses as we transition into the space of overruling corporatism. To be able to step into our restaurant, sit down and enjoy a well-made meal from an Italian guy, with his family by his side, smiling and having fun, and making sure your experience is great is sadly a shrinking experience in the Restaurant space. Simple roots, simple ingredients that come from the right place is our craft. At SFIZIO, we focus on bringing in imported Italian ingredients and making everything else from scratch. From the Napoletana flour, the San Marzano tomatoes, to the fresh mozzarella and dough we craft every morning by hand, we pride ourselves on doing things correctly and without any compromises. This point, alongside being able to work with my entire family, my son who helps in all aspects of the business, and my wife and daughter who are always coming by making sure things are alright for our guests, we take pride in what we have built together and continue to serve authentic scratch Italian dining experiences. When you step into SFIZIO, we want you to feel like you are at home with our family, carefully catering to you food that I myself make sure is done right.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I laid down his roots in Arizona in 1984. Hailing from the Calabria region of South Italy, I learned the art of cooking and my appreciation for it at a young age. With my first job at a bakery, and second in a pizza shop, I decided to venture to Arizona with my brother. It was there that I opened a slew of restaurants throughout the valley since my arrival, restaurants are in my blood. My wife Zoritza and I raised our two children Arianna and Marco right here in Desert Ridge. 20 Years later, as the father-son team of Rocco and Marco Pezzano, we seamlessly combine Italian tradition with modern flair. Always by each other’s side, it’s our shared love for food and family that create the unforgettable dining experiences that we’re known for.

We make everything here from scratch, because we believe in creating an experience for our guests similar to the ones that inspire our cooking and recipes, from my Italian roots. We are a family-owned, truly authentic, scratch Italian kitchen. There is no room for compromise regarding our ingredients. We value daily crafted dough, imported meats, fresh produce, and hand-crafted meals made with love. Our dishes are crafted straight from the hands of Chef Rocco Pezzano, with roots in the south of Italy, combining traditional flavors with modern cuisine whether it’s our brick oven Pizza, hand-crafted pasta, salads, bruschetta, or just sipping hand-selected wines over the excellent conversation in our cozy authentic atmosphere. “SFIZIO” in Italian means “the thing that satisfies your craving.” SFIZIO aims to offer true, authentic Italian to satisfy our guests’ cravings for something they may be longing for. Something we are uniquely proud of is to be a truly family-owned business. In today’s age, it is rare to come in and see the family physically working to serve you, which is a fantastic experience.

Chef Rocco makes no compromises on ingredients. We hand-craft our dough, pasta, and anything we can. We only source from the best local purveyors or import dozens of ingredients from Italy, including flour, tomatoes, select meats and cheeses, olive oil, and herbs. Chef Rocco and his family are in the restaurant day and night, ensuring guests can enjoy a unique experience that blends family, atmosphere, and good real food. The menu has been changed seasonally, and we have a custom-built brick pizza oven where we toss our handmade dough and craft fresh pizza. We also make fresh pasta.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My family all knows how passionate I am about golf. And luckily being in one of the best states for the sport. In terms of eating, I’d certainly invite them into my own home for cooking. We have always been entertainers during the hiatus from the restaurant industry. It may have been that sense of longing, but I would always cook elaborate meals for our guests and host at any chance possible. Otherwise, I enjoy simple meals in Arizona as that is the type of cooking I value. Alongside eating, a day spent on the golf course is my perfect day to me. I enjoy playing plenty courses here in Phoenix and Scottsdale, as long as the heat is bearable.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe my success to my family for their unwavering support and their encouragement. to start SFIZIO altogether. I had stepped away from the industry for a short while so that I could take time to raise my kids, and it was them who encouraged me to return to my passion for restaurants. My son Marco had longed for the experience of owning a restaurant once again, taking from his memory of growing up in my brother and I’s restaurants. My wife, Zoritza, is the heart of SFIZIO, continuously speaking with customers and making sure everyone is enjoying their experience. My daughter Arianna can be seen helping out whenever we need it, and my son Marco is irreplaceable. He is working on the design, operations, and overall management of the business together with me. It’s an amazing feeling to be the mentor of your children, and in a business where many family’s may grow apart due to the strain of running a business alongside them, we grow closer together. It is their support that keeps me going.

Website: https://www.sfizioitaliano.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sfizioitaliankitchen/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/sfizioitaliankitchen/?hl=en

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sfizio-modern-italian-kitchen-phoenix

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sfiziomodernitaliankitchen4805

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