Tutti Da Gio authentic Sicilian

Tutti Da Gio: A Dream Rooted in Resilience and Tradition

“I’m not a fancy chef,” says Chef Giovanna Orsino, owner of Tutti Da Gio. “You won’t find plates with four ravioli and some flowers here. I want people to sit down, eat, and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I ate so well and so much!’”

Orsino’s story weaves together the resilience of an immigrant’s journey with the romance of chasing a lifelong dream. Surprisingly, her tale doesn’t begin in a Sicilian kitchen but in New Jersey, where her father, Salvatore, arrived after a tumultuous start as a military man who went AWOL to chase his American dream. Despite setbacks, Salvatore eventually established a shrimp boat business in Texas, christened Miss Giovanna, before transitioning to the restaurant industry. His success was short-lived; he passed away when Giovanna was just nine.

Following her father’s death, her family returned to Sicily. Life was challenging, but Orsino found solace in cooking. She honed her skills in local kitchens and dreamed of reopening a restaurant to honor her father’s memory.

After years of hard work and a stint as a top chef in Salt Lake City, fate led her to Nashville, where she met her husband, Jared Cluff. Together, they opened Tutti Da Gio, blending authentic Sicilian flavors with a warm, familial atmosphere.

“I’m still dreaming,” Orsino says. “This is just the first step.” With plans for expansion, including a food truck and a larger restaurant, Tutti Da Gio is more than a place to eat—it’s a celebration of passion, perseverance, and the bonds that food creates.