A Taste of Italy

Growing up in the Tuscan town of Lucca, Italy, chef Damiano Carrara developed an interest in hospitality and the culinary arts. He entered the industry as a bartender and trained professionally for bartending competitions around the world, winning multiple awards, prizes, and accolades for his skills. Carrara moved to the US in 2008, where he continued working in restaurants as a bartender, and then as a manager. After five years of hard work, Carrara and his brother decided to open a café of their own in the Los Angeles area: Carrara Pastries (there are now several locations). After gaining popularity and wide recognition in the kitchen, he shared his talents with a national audience as a finalist on Food Network Star, a winner on Cutthroat Kitchen, and a judge on Halloween Baking Championship 2016. Chef Carrara lives in the Los Angeles area.