Gioia (1133 W Randolph St.) has announced their new partnership with Italian restaurateur and television host Francesco Panella. In his partnership with Gioia, Francesco will oversee brand development, food and beverage programming, and restaurant operations with the Chicago team.

Born and raised in Rome, Francesco grew up in the restaurant industry with Antica Pesa, his family-owned establishment since 1922. Francesco has also been seen through his television programs Little Big Italy, Brooklyn Man, Il Mio Piatto Preferito, and Il Cacciatore di Teglie, aired throughout Europe on Warner Brothers Discovery Channel and the Italian food network, Gambero Rosso.