Growing up in New Jersey, Sott Tacinelli shared his Italian-American family's passion for food. He began a career in advertising but felt the call of the kitchen so he left for cooking school and eventually some top jobs in the industry. 

His best move may have been teaming up with, and marrying, fellow chef Angie Rito. After tying the knot in Florence, Italy, the two opened Quality Italian for the Quality Branded group with locations in New York and Denver.  Now, they run their dream restaurant, Don Angie, an Italian venue with a very modern twist in New York's West Village.