In 1954, Toronto’s very first espresso machine, wood-burning pizza oven, and heated patio was introduced by Giacomo Zuccarini, who grew up on a family farm in Cerqueto Del Tronto, in Italy’s Abruzzo before opening “The Sidewalk Caffè” at Yonge and College.
Over land and seas, in Northern Thailand, Chef Nuit Regular opened a humble curry shack in the small town of Pai, to share her passion of street market dishes and family recipes.
Fast forward to now, Chef Nuit and Janet Zuccarini, Owner of Gusto 54 Group, have created some of Toronto’s most influential international powerhouses in the restaurant scene. Gusto 54 has imbued innovation and soulful hospitality into more than a dozen incredible concepts and counting.
Within this series, we’re celebrating the leadership of three women who are driving forces behind this legacy of successful restaurants across North America: Janet Zuccarini, CEO and Founder of Gusto 54 Restaurant Group; Juanita Dickson, President and CFO; as well as collaborator Chef Nuit Regular, Co-owner and Executive Chef of PAI and Kiin.
