The Chef

Mickael Azizi

Master chef Mickael Azizi designs and prepares the menu at Alessandro's in tradition with his training from restaurant founder Fasini Alessandro just as he has for the past 8 years.

Training

Mickael began employment with Alessandro as a dishwasher in 1984 where he worked so that he could attend the Culinary Institute in Portland.

He had dreams of moving to New York City to further increase his culinary knowledge and work at one of the great restaurants in the city. However, Alessandro knew true talent when he saw it and along with his wonderful wife Jane, managed to talk the young Azizi into staying to train with him and learn the art of traditional, fine Italian cooking. So Mickael began his training with the ever watchful Alessandro critiquing his every move.

"Alessandro was very intense. Every dish had to be prepared just right, it had to be perfect. He wanted to please his customers and he demanded it.

He was very observant."

The training was very demanding under the critical eye of Alessandro who made sure everything was done just right.

"He could be on the other side of the room doing something else and he would catch my mistakes. He didn't miss anything. He would stand right behind me and watch me cook. If, for example, I added oil a few seconds too soon he would say 'oh no, you can't do that, you have to wait.'" Alessandro was a great chef and a good teacher and he rewarded hard work.. "If you did a good job he would treat you very well but if you did a bad job he would immediatly let you know."

Philosophy

Mickael stays true to Alessandro's original, traditional Italian recipies with a few minor alterations to better please the American palate.

"In America some traditional Italian dishes are expcted to be prepared differently from the way they are prepared in Italy. I make adjustments but I try to keep it as traditional as possible."

Personal Life

Besides cooking, Mickael has worked as a certified personal fitness trainer and nutritional consultant. He is an accomplished racketball player

and loves to work out. When he is not at Alessandro's or at the gym, he spends his time with his wife and three boys.