Mike Isabella's Crazy Good Italian

Millions know Mike Isabella as a tough-talking Top Chef competitor and the celebrity chef behind hot new DC restaurant Graffiato. Now, in his first cookbook, Mike Isabella's Crazy Good Italian, you'll be able to taste the chef's New Jersey childhood alongside the refined flavors that come from decades in the culinary world.

Inspired by his Italian-American grandmother's cooking, Isabella serves up 200 recipes for everyday meals that appeal to the heart and the appetite, with a modern twist. These are "small plate" versions of Mediterranean classics, made more flavorful. Isabella shares his secret family recipes, the dishes that made him famous on Top Chef, and signature meals from his restaurant.

From Ricotta with Charred Scallion and Harissa to Grandma's Potato Gnocchi, Chicken Wings with Pepperoni Sauce to Carnival-Style Zeppoles with Seasonal Sugars, home cooks will taste the joy these meals can bring. Delivering lip-smacking food (and talking some smack while he's at it), Isabella makes Italian fun to cook again.

Mike Isabella is the Chef/Owner of Graffiato, which opened in June 2011 in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The 130-seat Italian-inspired spot features small plates, locally cured meats, artisanal pizzas, and pastas with seasonal ingredients influenced by the food Chef Isabella grew up eating in New Jersey prepared by his Italian-American grandmother.

Chef Isabella was named FOOD & WINE’S The People’s Best New Chef Mid-Atlantic winner for 2012.

Before opening Graffiato, Chef Isabella was the executive chef of José Andrés’ Zaytinya. During his three-year tenure, Chef Isabella generated accolades and national attention for Washington, D.C.’s Mediterranean powerhouse restaurant.

Chef Isabella’s formal training began at The Restaurant School in New York, taking classes and cooking his way through some of New York City’s finest establishments. After honing his skills in the Big Apple, he traveled down the coast to Philadelphia, first as a sous chef for James Beard Award winner Douglas Rodriguez at Alma de Cuba, then as a host of other Stephen Starr restaurants. At El Vez, Chef Isabella learned the true craft of Latin cuisine under the direction of Jose Garces, and as Executive Sous Chef of Marcus Samuelsson’s Washington Square, he educated himself on the strenuous yet exciting task of opening a fine dining establishment.

While Philadelphia proved to be an incredible learning experience and launching ground, Chef Isabella still needed to find his niche. That niche came when he moved to Atlanta and joined Buckhead Life Group’s top-notch Greek restaurant, Kyma. As Chef de Cuisine of the seafood-inspired menu, Chef Isabella learned the slight flavors and techniques of Greek cooking and immersed himself in the traditions of one of the oldest cuisines in the world. While traveling through Greece and parts of the Middle East, Chef Isabella learned the nuances of these cuisines. Talking to locals and sifting through the daily markets gave Chef Isabella a chance to truly understand these foods and helped to form a base for his culinary imagination.

Outside the kitchen, Chef Isabella appeared on Season Six of Top Chef, and he was the runner-up on Top Chef All-Stars. In early 2013, Chef Isabella plans to open Kapnos, a Greek concept with an Italian sandwich shop, G, next door.