In today's Chef's Kitchen, we are meeting up with a Mount Dora chef who grew up just outside of Rome, Italy. He's bringing succulent “pasta purses” to Central Florida at his snuggly restaurant – Gianni's Italiano Restaurant.

Meet Chef Gianni Liverotti. He jokes (half-heartedly) that he's making a living in the kitchen to stay employed.

“I got into the cooking because I wasn't very good at the school,” he says, laughing. “And my middle school teacher told my mom, let's teach Gianni a good job. Otherwise, he'll be unemployed.”

Kidding aside, this guy has created a signature dish unlike anything, he says, in Central Florida.

“In the Italian language, sacchettini is a little purse.”

These ones, though, are pear-filled with extra protein, too. Chef say that his greatest joy is to cook for folks. That happiness is unlike anything else.

“I left Italy in 1997 and I came to work for Disney World,” he says. “I'm very happy to see people get together at a table. Almost like an Italian family.”

Gianni's restaurant is located at 425 Alexander Street, Mount Dora.

Let's cook!

Sacchettini Pasta Stuffed With Fresh Pear & 4 Italian Cheeses

Ingredients:

Shrimp

Sage

Garlic

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Lobster Base

White Wine

Sherry or Sweet Marsala

Lemon Zest

Directions:

Saute the garlic, sage, and shrimp

Touch of marsala and wine

Add lobster base and cream

Cook in water, add to sauce, let it simmer, then finish with lemon zest

Buon appetito