About Us
Gerardo Moceri, a native of Michigan, relocated to Arizona in 1998 to work with Chef Wiley at The Boulder's Resort. Yearning to create culinary feasts that featured more of his Italian heritage, Chef Moceri found his way to Payson, Arizona in December 2000 to open Cucina Paradiso where Chef Moceri continues to reside with his wife Maria and two children, Natalie Rose and Gerardo Francesco.
Chef Gerardo's career began after he attended Henry Ford College in his hometown of Dearborn, Michigan and accepted an apprenticeship in Italy with the famous Locanda dell'Angelo under the direction of the world famous chef, Angelo Paracucchi. There, Gerardo learned about the most finest methods of Italian cooking and dining. At Locanda dell'Angelo, the medieval castle which now serves as an exclusive Inn, Gerardo matured into the finest Italian Chef while studying the importance of Italian winemaking spending much time in the Locanda dell'Angelo's own vineyards.
He attributes his knowledge of other fine Italian specialties to the many other establishments he apprenticed with during these formative years; including "La Mora" in Lucca, Italy; "Trattoria dall'Ameglia" in Mestre, Venice; "Ristorante Romano", in Viarregio, Italy; and the "Confisserie Bachman" in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Chef Moceri continued his studies at the "Ecole Hoteliere" in Lausanne, Switzerland; the "University per Stanieri" in Perugia, Italy; "La Maison Francaise" in Windsor, Canada; the "Alliance Francaise" in Paris, France; and at the Edward Notter Zuckerdecorschule in Zurich, Switzerland.
Returning from Europe in 1988, he made his American debut with the opening of "Fausto's Oven" at the Dallas Hyatt Regency where he then ventured into the opening of "Portofino", an Italian restaurant at the Westin Camino Real Resort in Ixtapa, Mexico. In 1990 accepting an invitation to develop for the Hyatt Regency in Kauai, Hawaii Chef Moceri established the ground work for European cuisine which set a standard unlike any other restaurant in Hawaii with the grand opening of the Hyatt Regency Kauai. Here, Chef Moceri fused the traditional Hawaiian flavors with contemporary Italian Cuisine. It was in Hawaii Chef Gerardo married his loving wife Maria in 1992 and started his family with the birth of his beautiful daughter Natalie Rose in 1995 and Gerardo Francisco in 1997.
Chef Moceri and his staff have been involved in numerous community activities since the opening of Cucina Paradiso including the American Express top Award Winner of the 2002 Single-Unit operated "Restaurant Neighbor Award" for the ongoing support to the Payson and surrounding Community during The Rodeo-Chedeski Fire.
In 2007, continuing to grow and evolve his passion for creating new Cuisine, Cucina Paradiso recently changed its name to "Gerardo's Firewood Cafe", while Chef Gerardo and his Staff stay committed to bringing the best in traditional Italian Food in a casual and friendly atmosphere.
Gerardo's Firewood Cafe offers Seasonal Wine Tasting Dinners, Cooking Classes for Adults and Children, and Catering Services for any occasions. Gerardo's Firewood Cafe is also available for Private Parties.
For more information please contact Chef Gerardo.