Samson, born to a Bolognese mother and American father, was exposed to the pleasures of Italian food at a young age. Whether it was the experience he gained helping his mother in the kitchen at home or annual family trips to Italy that eventually propelled him toward a career in Italian cooking, one thing is certain: once Samson left his medical school path to become a chef, he never looked back.

AWARDS / ACHIEVEMENTS 

  • Best. Ever. Pizza., Food Network, 2015
  • Chefs of the Year, Los Angeles Magazine, 2012
  • Best New U.S. Restaurants, Esquire Magazine, 2011 
  • #1 Best New Restaurant , Los Angeles Magazine, 2011
  • 75 Best Restaurants, Los Angeles Magazine, 2013
  • The 38 Essentials in Los Angeles, Eater LA, 2015, 2016
  • Jonathan Gold's Best 101, Los Angeles Times, 2013, 2014, 2015 
  • 99 Essential Restaurants, LA Weekly, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
  • Best Cannoli, Los Angeles Magazine, 2013
  • Best Meatball, LA Weekly, 2012
  • Best Pizza, LA Weekly, 2012
  • Rising Star Southern California, Star Chefs, 2010
  • Best Pizza Orange County, OC Weekly [Ortica], 2009
  • Best Pizza Orange County, Riviera Magazine [Ortica], 2009
  • Best Italian Restaurant [Ortica], OC Weekly, 2009
  • #4 Best Restaurant [Ortica], Orange Coast Magazine, 2009

 
 

EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION

  • Rossoblu (Opening 2016) - Chef/Owner

  • Sotto, Los Angeles, CA – Chef/Owner

  • Pizzeria Ortica, Costa Mesa, CA – Executive Chef and Partner

  • Sona Restaurant (*), West Hollywood, CA

  • Piero Selvaggio Restaurant Group

    • Valentino Restaurant, Santa Monica, CA – Executive Chef

    • Posto Restaurant, Sherman Oaks, CA – Executive Chef

    • Valentino, Las Vegas, NV – Executive Sous Chef

  • Various stages at Michelin-rated restaurants in Italy
    *Michelin star rating
    • Quattro Passi (*), Sorrento, Italy
    • Torre del Saraceno (**), Vico Equense, Italy
    • Il Duomo (**), Ragusa, Sicily
    • Dal Pescatore (***), Canneto sull’Olio, Italy
    • La Sora Lela, Rome, Italy
    • Il Cascinale Nuovo (*), Isola d’Asti, Italy
  • Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY, Blue Ribbon Graduate
  • Columbia University, Post Baccalaureate, Pre-Medical Program
  • University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, B.A., History
  • University of Venice, Ca’ Foscari, Venice, Italy, Italian History and Culture