ANTHONY VALINOTI

“I’M NOT AFRAID TO FAIL OR TO PUT MYSELF IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION. FAILURE HAS TAUGHT ME WHAT NOT TO REPEAT AND TO RE-EXAMINE ALL THE DETAILS. I HAVE MANY MISSES ALONG THE WAY.”

Proprietor, Deluca’s Pizza

St. John’s University

Brooklyn, NY; I moved to Hot Springs seven years ago

Peter Luger Steakhouse (Brooklyn)

With a risk-taking persona and a dream jotted down on a cocktail napkin, Wall Street broker-turned-chef Anthony Valinoti set roots in Hot Springs and established the Arkansas delicacy, Deluca’s Pizza. Fueled by an intent to live life on the edge, the Brooklyn-native is a connoisseur of all things traveling, dining, gambling and good company.

 

ANTHONY VALINOTI

“I’M NOT AFRAID TO FAIL OR TO PUT MYSELF IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION. FAILURE HAS TAUGHT ME WHAT NOT TO REPEAT AND TO RE-EXAMINE ALL THE DETAILS. I HAVE MANY MISSES ALONG THE WAY.”

Proprietor, Deluca’s Pizza

St. John’s University

Brooklyn, NY; I moved to Hot Springs seven years ago

Peter Luger Steakhouse (Brooklyn)

With a risk-taking persona and a dream jotted down on a cocktail napkin, Wall Street broker-turned-chef Anthony Valinoti set roots in Hot Springs and established the Arkansas delicacy, Deluca’s Pizza. Fueled by an intent to live life on the edge, the Brooklyn-native is a connoisseur of all things traveling, dining, gambling and good company.

 

WHAT IS A “GOOD MAN”?

Honoring your word and commitments. My word is my bond — it always has been, it always will be. I’ve always been a handshake kind of person.

PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:

Without a doubt, the success of Deluca’s Pizza. It was something I had written down on a cocktail napkin some 10 years ago in Las Vegas. I never would have believed it would become what it has become.

SURPRISING FACT:

I have no formal training as far as cooking goes. I learned to cook through television, most notably Julia Child, Jacques Pépin and Emeril Lagasse.

ADVICE TO OTHERS:

If you have a dream, follow it. Approach it with a series of small details that build upon one another. If you do this and uncover all the stones along the way, you will be happy with the results.

HOW HAVE YOUR EXPERIENCES SHAPED YOU?

I have been on top and at rock bottom. I have made many mistakes and fallen flat on my face, but I learn from my mistakes and try hard not to repeat them — at least not too many times.

WHAT IS A “GOOD MAN”?

Honoring your word and commitments. My word is my bond — it always has been, it always will be. I’ve always been a handshake kind of person.

PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:

Without a doubt, the success of Deluca’s Pizza. It was something I had written down on a cocktail napkin some 10 years ago in Las Vegas. I never would have believed it would become what it has become.

SURPRISING FACT:

I have no formal training as far as cooking goes. I learned to cook through television, most notably Julia Child, Jacques Pépin and Emeril Lagasse.

ADVICE TO OTHERS:

If you have a dream, follow it. Approach it with a series of small details that build upon one another. If you do this and uncover all the stones along the way, you will be happy with the results.

HOW HAVE YOUR EXPERIENCES SHAPED YOU?

I have been on top and at rock bottom. I have made many mistakes and fallen flat on my face, but I learn from my mistakes and try hard not to repeat them — at least not too many times.

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