Gianni will speak about:
--How immigrants are changing Italy,
--The quirky laws that affect farmers and how they react to these laws, and
--The Italian medical system "Socialized medicine can work, but at what cost and who pays?"
Gianni Fassio was born and raised in San Francisco. He attended St. Ignatius Preparatory School and graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce. After graduation he joined his father Piero, who, with Mario Mondin, were the co-owners of The Blue Fox, then one of the most well known and revered restaurants not only in San Francisco but throughout the United States. But for Gianni the restaurant business at the time was not challenging enough so he left and joined Arthur Young and Co. (now Ernst & Young) in 1963, and became a partner in 1976. During his 24 years with Arthur Young Gianni held various positions both in the US and in Europe. In 1987 he left Arthur Young to start Ristoranti Piemontesi, Inc. His goal was to introduce true Italian food and wines to the American public. After acquiring The Blue Fox, he then went on to open a second Restaurant, Palio d'Asti and four paninoteche (Italian sandwich shops) "Palio Paninoteca," all in San Francisco.
During his time in the restaurant business, Gianni was president of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, Chairman of the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, Treasurer of the Golden Gate Park Association, President of the Golden Gate Wine Society, and Treasurer of Il Cenacolo. He was inducted into the Golden Gate Restaurant Association's Hall of Fame in 2006. He was knighted by the Italian government for his work in promoting true Italian food and wine in 1994 (Cavaliere di Lavoro).
Gianni, with wife Jette, now resides in Isola d'Asti, Italy, and produces wine under the Bricco Rivoira label.
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