About Me
Biography
Gerard Viverito is an American chef of Italian descent. He knew at an early age his passion was to be in the kitchen. As a child, his mother often found him playing with kitchen tools rather than his toy cars and trucks, and he insisted on being in the kitchen with his mother, grandmothers, and aunts. He loved learning to cook with them old-school style. These matriarchs' zeal for expressing their love for family thru meals served as an example and his inspiration to pursue everything culinary as an adult.
As a result, Viverito has spent the past 35 years in the food industry. Of those, 18 years have been spent teaching at The Culinary Institute of America, and 10 years have been spent as an Executive Chef within the United States as well as internationally. He spent several years as a chef on yachts and a good part of his life living abroad in places such as the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
Viverito has owned restaurants in the Hudson Valley, NY, including Café Gerard in Germantown and CrúClub Wine Bar in Rhinebeck. His catering is sought after, as his experiences in the industry have given him a wide range and versatile style that can accommodate all tastes, whether that be a fine-dining experience or family-style buffet, respectively. He consults for domestic and international companies and has made numerous appearances on television, radio, and print media, offering cooking advice and promoting sustainable food products.
Valuing education, Viverito has coauthored four books for The Culinary Institute of America, including, “Professional Chef,” “Garde Manger,” “Hors d’Ouerve at Home,” and “Vegetables.”
In early 2023, Viverito will be opening his next venture: Woodpecker General Store, a neighborhood market and deli, in Staatsburg, NY. Here he will house all his passions under one roof – cooking, catering, and teaching. The market will feature hand-chosen items from Viverito, consisting of a display of his favorite kitchen tools, regional food favorites, handmade chocolates, gifts, specialty items, as well as everyday essentials. Additionally, he will unveil his personal line of prime foods and beverages and promote the culinary arts by featuring a Chefs’ Corner, highlighting one-of-a-kind products made by chef-instructors, culinary students, and graduates.