Chef Peter DeRuvo Leaves Cuoco Pazzo

After a little over four months at Cuoco Pazzo, the Italian restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale, chef Peter DeRuvo has left. Citing differences in the management and business operations of the restaurant with father/son owners and operators Mario Rana Sr. and Jr., who also owned Mad Chef Gastropub before it...

By Laura Hahnefeld

February 2, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

After a little over four months at Cuoco Pazzo, the Italian restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale, chef Peter DeRuvo has left.

Citing differences in the management and business operations of the restaurant with father/son owners and operators Mario Rana Sr. and Jr., who also owned Mad Chef Gastropub before it closed in December, DeRuvo started at Cuoco Pazzo in September after a stint at Prado, the Andalusian-inspired fine-dining spot at Paradise Valley's InterContinental Montelucia, where he was there for less than nine months.

"It's simple," DeRuvo says, "I didn't quite see eye to eye with the way they carried out business. I certainly wish the Rana's all the best in the future."

Best known for his command of Italian cuisine, DeRuvo plans to focus on writing his first cookbook, exploring a new restaurant concept with fellow Valley chefs, and connecting with non-profit causes later this year.

Follow Chow Bella on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.