Il Forno Bello Pizzeria – Mesa, Arizona
Culinary history is rich with examples of proteges who surpassed their mentors. Gordon Ramsay, for example, has become a restaurant impresario with nearly 100 restaurants bearing his brand. He was mentored by legendary English Chef Marco Pierre White, an intense and volatile personality who helped shape Ramsay’s approach to leading a kitchen. Chef Grant Achatz, perhaps more well-known for playing himself during a guest cameo in the season three finale of The Bear, led Alinea in Chicago to three Michelin stars. He was mentored by demanding culinary visionary Charlie Trotter. Chef Horacio “Lacho” Hernandez earned his stripes under the tutelege of multi-time James Beard award-winning chef Chris Bianco. The personable Lacho spent most of thirty years mastering the art of wood-fired pizza at Pizzeria Bianco — perfecting the airy, perfectly charred cornicione that defines true pizza Napoletana. Already considered one of the very best pizzaiolo in the world, Lacho is renowned as a creative, meticulous artisan. He transforms simple, imported DOP – Denominazione di Origine Protetta (Protected Designation of Origin) – labeled foods into unforgettable pie, one fire-kissed crust at a time. Whether Chef Lacho will eventually surpass the inimitable Chris Bianco remains to be seen, but he’s certainly got a…