Chef Silvio passed away on Wednesday, November 22nd at home surrounded by his family and friends. Here is in 2010 making homemade pasta at Cafe Allegre. Silvio was just a good, decent Italian American who wanted nothing other than to take care of his family, his friends, and anyone who needed help.

True to his Italian roots, he always welcomed the outsider, the foreigner, the other. Because he had once been one, he fully appreciated the potential of achieving the american dream. He loved America for giving him that chance, and he helped others achieve it too. His life story and how he brought authentic Campanian cuisine -- and his southern Italian culture to Connecticut -- is in our book, "Cooking with Chef Silvio: Stories and Authentic Recipes from Campania," by SUNY Press, 2009. I will miss you for a long time my friend.