Chef Full Time

In January 2013, Giovanni (Gio) Mascagni, moved to British Columbia, Canada from his native city of Florence, Italy. The idea for a sandwich restaurant came to Gio while he was in search of an Italian snack to ease his nostalgia for home. He noticed that while he could find most of the food products from his homeland; in Vancouver, his favourite product was not available...authentic Tuscan Schiacciata bread! So, on a rainy afternoon he plotted to recreate himself the bread from Florence. After many attempts, he succeeded in baking a remarkably similar version - not perfect- but close enough. He ate it and enjoyed it, but most importantly he shared it, shared it with his sister, his friends and his co-workers. They all agreed, it was very good! “So, what now?” they all asked.... “Can you sell it? Are you going to open a food truck?” It was then that Gio decided he would focus on a dream, his dream: to bring to Canada his favourite food, schiacciata (skja’tːʃata) bread sandwiches. In order to perfect this bread Gio decided to return home to Florence for a six-month apprenticeship with well known baker who works right in the centre of the famous food market - Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. Here Gio learned the centuries’ old techniques of Tuscan bread making needed to complete the sandwiches. These popular sandwiches in Florence are considered street food, an intrinsic part of every Florentine’s DNA and core to their lifestyle. Here, you do not need much more than a great sandwich and a small glass of red wine to go with it, to have a perfect lunch break! Weekday lunch is a time for most Italians to mingle with co-workers, make plans for the weekend or even talk about their next big business idea. Even if one does not have much time for a lunch break, quality nourishment is top priority to Italians, and these famous, freshly baked Schiacciata bread sandwiches filled with healthy, local ingredients are what Florentine people prefer. We hope to create the authentic street food and Aperitivo experience, so beloved in Italy!