Fabrizio was born in the heart of the Adriatic coast of Venice, Italy where he began his culinary career. Growing up in Venice, Chef Aielli nurtured a fascination for cooking at his mother's stove. After working in Venice, he moved away to gain experience in some of the best restaurants and hotels around the world. He eventually returned home to become executive chef of the renowned Taverna la Fenice next to Venice's opera house. His years of practice included fine restaurants in Italy, the Caribbean and Washington, DC.

In 1995 Chef Aielli and his wife Ingrid opened their first restaurant in Washington DC. Goldoni in 1995 was followed by Osteria Goldoni in 1998, and finally Teatro Goldoni in 1999. The latter was acclaimed as one of the best new restaurants in the country by Esquire magazine; and Gourmet magazine named Teatro Goldoni as one of the top twenty restaurants in Washington DC. Teatro Goldoni also was recognized by the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, and Food & Wine Magazine. Teatro Goldoni was a recipient of the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award and Diroma Award.

In 2007 Fabrizio and Ingrid moved permanently to Naples seeking a location for their next restaurant. Sea Salt opened in November of 2008 to high praise including Esquire Magazine's Best New Restaurant.

Chef Aielli launched Barbatella in 2012, a Spirited Italian Trattoria just steps away from Sea Salt on picturesque Third Street South. The popular trattoria highlights Chef Fabrizio's favorite classic Italian dishes. In 2015, Sea Salt St Pete opened in downtown St Petersburg featuring the same fresh ingredients and menu popular at their Naples’ location.
After establishing Sea Salt and Barbatella in the culinary landscape of Naples, Chef Aielli opened Dorona in 2018. This modern Italian Steakhouse features the finest custom cuts of beef available from select farms and also gives the dining experience an Italian touch through signature dishes and ingredients from the his homeland.

Chef Aielli's latest addition to his restaurant group is Grappino which opened in December of 2019. Chef Aielli's Venetian roots inspired the menu and wide array of Grappa.

The Culinary & Hospitality Education Foundation announced Chef Fabrizio as honoree of the year 2018 for his "Venetian World" cuisine representing an imaginative combination of centuries of tradition coupled with current international influences.

As co-owner with her husband Chef Fabrizio Aielli, Ingrid Aielli is responsible for business operations and marketing. Ingrid is the force behind the corporate brand, and her philanthropic involvement has given the Aielli Group a solid reputation as a strong supporter of the community and many local charities. She has been recognized by several organizations for her outstanding involvement including major local publications like Naples Illustrated, Gulfshore Life Magazine and Gulfshore Business.

The couple's culinary journey started in the 90s in Washington D.C., establishing three highly acclaimed restaurants that were known for fine cuisine and stellar guest experiences. Their restaurants were frequently patronized by political, diplomatic, and celebrity clients from around the world.

After almost two successful decades in the D.C. area, the Aiellis decided to change the scenery and in 2008 they opened Sea Salt in Naples. Sea Salt's success encouraged them to expand and resulted in the addition of Barbatella, Dorona, Grappino and Sea Salt St. Pete.

Ingrid’s management skills and social acumen are a major key to the success of the Aielli Group. Ingrid oversees her management team and restaurants' operations along with her more public role as an active member of the Naples philanthropic community.

Her philanthropic engagements include board memberships on various charities like Youth Haven as well as organizing charity events which have benefited over 50 charities in Southwest Florida. In the past decade, the Aielli Group’s auction items helped to collect over $1million in donations, all benefiting the children in Collier County. Furthermore, Ingrid Aielli chaired Youth Haven's Starry Nights Gala 2022, raising over $1.5 million.

ACCOLADES AND HONORS:

• 2001 Women of the Year Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (DC)
 2011 Glass Slipper Recipient by Champions of Learning
• 2016 Leading Lady (Naples Illustrated)

• 2016 Woman of the Year (Gulfshore Life)
• 2019 Champions (Champions of learning)
• 2019 Honoree of the United Arts Council
• 2021 Naples First Ladies of Food by Naples illustrated
• 2022 Women in Business 2022 by Gulfshore Business Magazine
• 2022 Business Hall of Fame inductee by Junior Achievement of SWFL
• 2022 Woman of Initiative by Women's Foundation of Collier County

CURRENT BOARD MEMBER ACTIVITIES:

• Co-Chair of the Nane Kimijan Memorial Scholarship Fund (in memory of her late brother)
• Board Member and Vice Conseiller Culinary of La Chaine des Rotisseurs
• Board Member of Gulfshore Life Magazine
• Board Member of Youth Haven
• Ingrid and Fabrizio’s partnership and philanthropic endeavors in Southwest Florida are important to them. The hundreds of jobs they create along with their unwavering support of many charitable organizations demonstrate their commitment to the community.

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Mario Mellusi was born and raised in Ischia, a beautiful island across the Amalfi coast in Italy. He began his hospitality career at a young age, working at his parent's restaurant in Ischia. At the age of 14, he decided to travel the world and began working at different seasonal restaurants around Europe, developing and honing his sense of the restaurant industry. In the course of his travels, he became fluent in five languages: French, Italian, English, Spanish, Neapolitan.

In his twenties, Mario decided to try his hand in America, and found a home at the illustrious Tiberio, the famed Washington DC palace of Italian haute cuisine. A six-month stay turned into six years as Tiberio rose in the estimation of Washington patrons to a level previously held only by the city's fine French restaurants.

In 1997 Mario worked with Chef Fabrizio Aielli to open the Venice-inspired Goldoni restaurant, (later Teatro Goldoni), one of the top three Italian restaurants in Washington DC. After opening Goldoni, Mario was recruited by the James Beard Awarded Chef Roberto Donna to work at his restaurant Galileo.

After 7 years at Galileo, Mario decided to join the Aielli group again to open a new restaurant in Naples, Florida. In 2011 Barbatella opened its doors for the first time and Mario has found a home. His son attended Naples High School and now plays Division 1 football for Clemson Tigers.

Mario's passion, aside from great food, is to share his experiences and expertise with his staff and young adults who aspire to careers in the culinary arts and hospitality. "I love what I do. Barbatella is my home."