Though not Italian himself, it was there that his deep appreciation for Italian-American cuisine first took root. As a teenager, he entered the food service industry and quickly discovered a passion for pizza making—a craft that would shape the course of his life.

After high school, Chris moved to Las Vegas to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). During his first summer break, he decided to stay in the city and took a job at Metro Pizza. That decision proved life-changing. Under the mentorship of acclaimed pizzaiolo John Arena, Chris began what would become a lifelong career. For nearly three decades, he worked alongside Arena, honing his skills and developing a reputation for excellence.

In 2023, a new chapter began when Chris moved to Dana Point, California, to become a partner at Truly Pizza with John Arena and Donna Baldwin. Now celebrating its second anniversary, Truly Pizza reflects Chris’s decades of dedication to his craft and his love for sharing exceptional pizza.