Sirio Maccioni

Sirio Maccioni
Born(1932-04-05)5 April 1932
Montecatini Terme, Italy
Died20 April 2020(2020-04-20) (aged 88)
Montecatini Terme, Italy
Spouse(s)Egidiana Maccioni, married 1964
ChildrenMario Maccioni, Marco Maccioni, Mauro Maccioni
Culinary career
Current restaurant(s)
  • Le Cirque, Le Cirque Cafe New York, The Beach Club by Le Cirque, Le Cirque New Delhi, Le Cirque Las Vegas, Osteria del Circo New York, Osteria del Circo Las Vegas, Osteria del Circo Abu Dhabi, Sirio Ristorante Las Vegas, Sirio Ristorante at The Pierre Hotel
Previous restaurant(s)
  • Le Cirque at the Mayfair Hotel (1974-1997), Le Cirque 2000 at the Palace Hotel (1997-2005)
Websitelecirque.com

Sirio Maccioni (5 April 1932 – 20 April 2020) was an Italian restaurateur and author known for opening Le Cirque.[1]

Biography

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Maccioni got his start at Oscar's Delmonico, Delmonico's. Owner Oscar Tucci once stated, "Sirio and with Tony May will be some of the greatest restaurateurs that will come out of Delmonico's." Maccioni was featured in Le Cirque: A Table In Heaven, a 2007 American documentary film.[2]

He was awarded the Impresario dell’Anno (Entrepreneur of the Year) award at Affreschi Toscani. Maccioni was known for Le Cirque, his award-winning flagship French restaurant and other ventures in New York City, Las Vegas, the Dominican Republic, New Delhi and Abu Dhabi, which were run with his wife Egidiana “Egi” and sons Mario, Marco, and Mauro.

In June 2004, Maccioni published his autobiography, Sirio: The Story of My Life and Le Cirque with Bloomberg L.P.'s restaurant critic Peter Elliot. On television, he was featured as a guest judge on Top Chef, the 48th Annual Miss Universe Pageant and as himself in Charlie Rose, Behind Closed Doors and Eat This New York.[3] Maccioni and his family were also featured in a behind-the-scenes documentary film Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven, which details Le Cirque's 2006 move from the Palace Hotel to the Bloomberg building on East 58th St.[4] Maccioni and several recipes from his restaurants are featured in Egidiana Maccioni's The Maccioni Family Cookbook.[5] In 2012, Sirio Maccioni authored A Table at Le Cirque with Pamela Fiori, published by Rizzoli.

Maccioni has been credited as the creator of pasta primavera, though that attribution has been challenged.[6]

Personal life

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Maccioni was married to Egidiana Maccioni and the couple have three sons: Mario, a graduate of New York University, Marco, a graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, and Mauro, a graduate of Columbia University.[7][8][9] He died at his home in Montecatini Terme, Italy, on 20 April 2020.[10] His death was unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Restaurants

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Main article: Le Cirque

Over his career, Maccioni operated the following restaurants:

Awards

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  • Impresario dell’ Anno (Entrepreneur of the Year) award at Affreschi Toscani Tuscany.
  • 1995 - Sirio Maccioni deemed a “Living Landmark” by the New York Landmarks Conservancy,[14][15]
  • 2000: Joe Baum Lifetime Achievement Award from The Food Allergy Initiative.[16]
  • 2002- Father of the Year, National Father's Day Committee[17]
  • 2003- Fine Dining Legend Winner Nation's Restaurant News
  • 2007: Michelin Guide One-Star for Le Cirque in Las Vegas.
  • 2012: Sirio Maccioni honored at Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival.[18]
  • 2013: Sirio Maccioni awarded First "Euro-Toques Italia International Award" by Eurotoques Italy association in Montecatini Terme.[19]
  • 2013: Sirio Maccioni and Family inducted into Esquire Magazine's 2013 Restaurant "Hall of Fame"[20]
  • 2013: Sirio Maccioni to receive "Pioneer Award" by The Best of Silver State Awards in Nevada.
  • 2014: James Beard Foundation Award, Lifetime Achievement [15]

References

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  1. ^ Bruni, Frank (6 February 2008). "In Defense of Decadence". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  2. ^ "Le Cirque: A Table In Heaven". The New York Times. 26 December 2008.
  3. ^ "Sirio Maccioni: Chef and Culinary Personality". Nycwineandfoodfestival.com. 17 September 2007. Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  4. ^ Grove, Lloyd. "The World According to Sirio Maccioni". Portfolio.com. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  5. ^ The Maccioni Family Cookbook. Egi Maccioni (Author), Peter Kaminsky (Author), Elizabeth Zeschin (Photographer). Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (1 October 2003) ISBN 1-58479-288-4
  6. ^ "Pasta Primascotia anyone? | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  7. ^ Hamlin, Suzanne (10 January 1996). "Passing The Toque: For a New Generation, Hospitality Is Destiny (Published 1996)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  8. ^ "The Fabulous Maccioni Boys". Departures. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  9. ^ Dai, Serena (20 April 2020). "Legendary Le Cirque Restaurateur Sirio Maccioni Has Died". Eater NY. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  10. ^ Mariani, John. "Remembering Restaurant Ringmaster Sirio Maccioni (1932-2020)". Forbes. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  11. ^ Cuozzo, Steve (17 October 2017). "A final goodbye to the legendary celeb haven Le Cirque". The New York Post. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  12. ^ Theleela.com
  13. ^ "Arialasvegas.com". Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  14. ^ List of Living Landmarks[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ a b Sirio Maccioni Named Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree for 2014
  16. ^ LaVecchia, Gina (1 February 2000). "Maccioni honored with Joe Baum award". Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  17. ^ Le Cirque 2000's Maccioni named 2003 Fine Dining Legend Winner
  18. ^ "The legend of Le Cirque: Alums to honor Sirio Maccioni with culinary gala - See more at: http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/lifestyles/food-cooking/the-legend-of-le-cirque-alums-to-honor-sirio-macci/nTHyB/#sthash.GGpmiOTB.dpuf". Palm Beach Daily. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2021. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  19. ^ "Premio a Sirio Maccioni". TeleMontecatini.
  20. ^ Mariani, John (21 October 2013). "The Food Dynasty That Commands Your Respect". Esquire.
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