About Chef John Pisto

As an acclaimed chef and Monterey area restaurateur, with his own cable TV cooking show, John Pisto has made California/Mediterranean Cuisine his trademark. His unique style blends his Southern Italian heritage with fresh California-harvested ingredients and innovative interpretation of traditional Mediterranean recipes. With four award-winning restaurants, his international TV cooking show, Monterey's Cookin' Pisto Style, and a gourmet product line, John Pisto is "cookin'" his way to the top.

A fixture on Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf for more than three decades, John, like many of his relatives, started as a commercial fisherman, bringing fresh fish into wharf restaurants. After graduating from the School of Culinary Arts, John opened his first restaurant on the wharf to better promote the fresh local catch. Today his restaurants include the Whaling Station Inn, Domenico's on the Wharf, Abalonetti Seafood Trattoria (across from Domenico's) and Paradiso Trattoria on Cannery Row, with spectacular ocean views from every table.

John Pisto has not forgotten his fishing heritage. In fact, for years John has enthusiastically hosted area school children to his restaurant on the wharf for a lesson on local fish and fishing. The initiates are dubbed "Squid Kids," for they not only gain a better appreciation for fishermen but also a taste for squid.

John has many times assisted the CSC in educating children as well as the public at large about the importance of California seafood and our fishing industry. We're delighted and honored to welcome him as CSC Public Member.