Rocco DiSpirito

Joined the seventh season of ABC’s reality competition “Dancing with the Stars”

Appeared as a guest sous-chef on the season three finale of “Top Chef” (Bravo)

Hosted the morning radio show “Food Talk” on New York City’s WOR 710

Published first cookbook, Flavor , which broke down the concept of building dishes on four basic flavors

Subject of the NBC reality series, “The Restaurant”; also featured Rocco's mother, Nicolina DiSpirito and financier Jeffrey Chodorow

Opened second restaurant Union Pacific in New York City’s Gramercy Park

First restaurant, Dava closed after only six months

At age 16, enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America

Studied French cuisine with chefs Dominique Cecillon and Gray Kunz at Jardin de Cygne restaurant in Paris