Andrea Apuzzo, Chef-Proprietor of Andrea’s Restaurant in Metairie, Louisiana (in the New Orleans metro area) was born and raised on the Isle of Capri, Italy.
Chef Andrea began his formal culinary education while working in a bakery in his home town of Anacapri at the early age of seven. At fourteen, he left Capri to travel to Germany, Switzerland, England and South America to further his culinary training in some of the best hotels in Europe and abroad.
After working 35 years in kitchens all over the world under some of the finest, most respected chefs, Chef Andrea moved to Bermuda in 1973 to work at the Southampton Princess Hotel and later in Hamilton Princess Hotel. In 1975, he came to the United States as Executive Sous-Chef of the Omni International Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. And in 1977 he moved to New Orleans as Executive Chef of the Royal Orleans Hotel; a position he held until January, 1985 when he left to open Andrea’s, his life-long dream.
During the course of his culinary work experience, Chef Andrea has prepared culinary dishes for such notables as Queen Elizabeth, Princess Ann, President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, Senator Ted Kennedy, Clint Eastwood, Omar Shariff, Sophia Loren, Senator Jack Kemp, Lee Meriwether and Tommy Lasorda.
In 1990, Chef Andrea published his first cookbook, “La Cucina di Andrea’s,” which contains over 300 recipes from his select collection. In 1994, Chef Andrea published his second book, “Andrea’s Light Cookbook,” which contains recipes that are low fat, low cholesterol and low calorie dishes and are approved by the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association.
Chef Andrea belongs to many prestigious organizations such as The Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, International Wine & Food Society, Vatel Club, Les Toque Blanches, GRI (Gruppo Ristoranti Italiani), James Bear Foundation and the Certified Executive Chef Association, to name just a few.
Presently, Andrea’s New Orleans Italian restaurant is growing strong and Chef Andrea is investing a lot of his time in the community by participating in charitable functions, cooking demonstrations and personal service at his establishment. Chef Andrea has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and the DiRona Excellence Award, and many more.
Accolades and Awards
1985-1989 – 5 Stars Tom Fitzmorris, Menu Magazine
1986-1989 – 4 Beans Gene Bourg, Times Picayune
1988-1989 – Favorite Italian Restaurant in New Orleans, Readers of New Orleans Magazine
1988 – Outstanding Culinary Achievement Award, Confrerie di la Chaine des Rotisseurs
1989 – Award of Excellence, International Restaurant Rating Bureau
1989 – One of America’s Finest Restaurants & Outstanding Chefs, Chefs in America
1990-1992 – 4 Beans Gene Bourg, Times Picayune
1990-1992 – 5 Stars Tom Fitzmorris, Menu Magazine
1990-1992 – Best Italian Restaurant in Louisiana, Louisiana Life Magazine
1990-1992 – Favorite Italian Restaurant in New Orleans, Readers of New Orleans Magazine
1990-1992 – Top Grand Restaurant Award, Champagne Mumm & New Orleans Magazine
1991-1992 – One of the Top Italian Restaurants in New Orleans, Zagat Guide
1991 – Favorite Restaurant in New Orleans for Pasta, Readers of New Orleans Magazine
1991 – Exemplary Achievement in Culinary Arts, The Best of New Orleans – Gault Millau
1993 – Favorite Chef, New Orleans Magazine
1993 – Favorite Chef, Reader’s Choice Award
1993 – Cavaliere Dell’Ordine Al Merito Della Republica Italiana, Italian Consulate
1998 – Most Authentic Northern Italian Restaurant in New Orleans, John Mariani, Esquire Magazine
1998-1999 – Visitor’s Choice Awards Best Italian Restaurant, Where Magazine
2000-2001 – Visitor’s Choice Awards Best Italian Restaurant, Where Magazine
2000-2001 – Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator Magazine
2000-2001 – Feature Article Wine Spectator Magazine, John Mariani (September)
2000-2001 – Visitor’s Choice Awards Best Italian Restaurant, Where Magazine
2001 – Dirona Award, Distinguished Restaurants of North America, Award of Excellence
2004 – Voted one of the Best Italian Restaurants in the USA, John Mariani, Paper City Magazine (April)
2008 – Voted one of “The 20 Best Steaks in America,” John Mariani, Esquire Magazine (September)
Hours of Operation
Holidays
Andrea’s is open for all major holidays from 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
We offer a special holiday menu that includes a choice of an appetizer, a salad, and anywhere from 12 to 16 different entrees with dessert for one set price per person.
RESERVATIONS
Reservations are definitely recommended for all holidays and we offer seating starting at 11:00 A.M. until our last seating at 7:00 P.M.