Donna DiFiore, Delectables Restaurant & Catering
by Tucson Citizen on Sep. 26, 2007, under Local, Taste
Donna DiFiore's parents owned a bakery in Massachusetts.
Address and phone: 533 N. Fourth Ave., 884-9289
Donna DiFiore is not a chef. There is no head chef at Delectables Restaurant and Catering, which she owns.
Born in Providence, R.I., DiFiore grew up in the bakery business. Her parents owned the DiFiore Bakery in Massachusetts and surrounded her with beautiful wedding cakes, pastries, biscotti and italian ices.
During college, she worked in the kitchen with the lead chef of a women’s finishing school for two years, gaining some of the experience that would help her in the future.
DiFiore came to Tucson in 1976 for a two-week vacation and ended up making it her home, working and eventually owning Fourth Avenue’s classic establishment. Earlier this week, she spoke to Taste Plus.
Question: What’s your favorite restaurant in the Tucson area and why?
Answer: Kingfisher and Vivace’s
What’s your favorite dish to prepare and why?
Fettuccine Alfredo and Shepherd’s Pie because they’re just fabulous. I grew up with those in my life, and they’re great comfort food.
What’s your favorite dish to eat?
Sushi. Sushi, sushi, sushi. I love the caterpillar roll. It’s my favorite.
What’s unique about the Tucson restaurant scene compared to other cities?
I think we have more independent home-grown restaurants in a city of a million where the food is very interesting. We have a nice collection of independent restaurant owners who put their own face with their food.
What’s your favorite or most-used kitchen utensil or gadget?
Chef knife
What do you always have in your refrigerator?
Häagen-Dazs coffee ice cream, parmesan cheese, heavy whipping cream, half-and-half, romaine lettuce, garlic and anchovies. I always want to be able to make a Caesar salad.
Why are you a chef?
Why I am in this business? I love it. It’s different every day; there are never two days alike. I like the different people who come in the door and create a different job for me.
DALINA CASTELLANOS
castella@tucsoncitizen.com
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See DiFiore’s recipe for Gazpacho.
