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About

Chef Jeff Iovino

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Jeff Iovino likes to joke that he hasn’t gone very far in life, but if you ask anyone in Pittsburgh’s suburb of Mt. Lebanon, they’ll tell you differently! Having grown up on Beverly Road, just blocks from his continually evolving culinary empire, Jeff’s interest in becoming a chef was shaped by his grandparents—Italian immigrants who had a fundamental love of cooking and gardening that ignited Jeff’s early passion for working with food. His enthusiasm was further fueled during high school. While working as a dishwasher in the bustling kitchen of Beverly Road family staple Bados Pizza Grill & Ale House, Jeff was exposed to the intricacies of the restaurant business and began dreaming of one day owning his own establishment. A graduate of the culinary arts program at Johnson & Wales University, Jeff spent the early years of his career honing his craft in kitchens in Charleston, South Carolina, before moving back to Pittsburgh, where he met his wife and business partner, Carol.

 

After stints at Olive or Twist and Soba, Jeff was driven by a desire to give back and support the community that shaped his love for the culinary world. In 2006, Jeff and Carol returned to Beverly Road to open their first restaurant, Iovino Cafe. Since then, they have dedicated their livelihoods to building Mt. Lebanon’s reputation as a culinary destination for diners in Pittsburgh. With their eye on creating a resilient business while raising two kids in the community, Jeff and Carol have grown and evolved the Iovino brand through the years, establishing Cafe io, the io Deli and Taco Diablo.

 

Now, Jeff and Carol are very excited to take the next step with the much-anticipated opening of Iovino’s Neighborhood Brasserie, coming in Fall 2024.

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