Saint Cannoli!

Chef Salvo Lo Castro, renowned globally and cherished at the Vatican, has been whipping up plates of pasta for the Pope, world leaders, and Hollywood stars. Recently, he swapped his life in Rome for the vibrant streets of New York City.

“The secret lies in preparing everything with my heart,” Lo Castro shared with the Career Post, reflecting on his rise to culinary fame. He views his restaurant as his home, where diners are not just clients but guests. This philosophy inspired the name of his new establishment.

Since 2022, Lo Castro has overseen a bustling chain of espresso bars across Manhattan, and he recently opened Casa Salvo on Spring Street on July 20, where patrons can indulge in his signature dishes.

For a decade, he served at the Vatican, developing personal ties with both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. He would often prepare his mother’s meatballs and his signature Fettuccine Casasalvo.

“All Popes are ordinary people,” he mentioned. “John Paul was charismatic, but Benedict was really something special,” he recalled fondly of the latter, who led from 2005 to 2013.

“He was an incredible guy,” Lo Castro said of Pope Benedict, whom he cooked for over six years. “His eyes were magnetic; his voice felt divine.”

Celebrities and Politicians Don’t Fluster Him: “Just Focus on Food”

Lo Castro has cooked for a wide range of figures, from Muammar Gaddafi to Tom Cruise and Robert De Niro. “If I’m nervous about a big event, things might not go well,” he admitted. Yet, when he’s calm, things turn out beautifully. “In the kitchen, I disconnect from the phone. It’s just me and the ingredients,” he explained.

Even with a plethora of A-list connections, his focus remains unshaken. “It doesn’t matter if I’m cooking for the Pope or an everyday person,” he emphasized. “I treat every man like a king and every woman like a queen.”

The Pope and Cardinals enjoyed pasta and cannoli frequently, but there wasn’t much room for creativity during key religious holidays. “Christmas has strict food guidelines,” he noted. At Easter, lamb is traditionally served, but he also introduced his own dishes.

His Fettuccine sauce can be customized with a range of ingredients, including fresh Italian butter and aged Parmesan.

Beyond his prominent clientele, Lo Castro also prepares meals for influential figures around the globe.

“Every man I cook is a king, and every woman I cook is a queen.”

He recalls his time cooking during a summit in Sardinia in 2008 with Vladimir Putin and Silvio Berlusconi. “The security was intense before dinner,” he reminisced. “But after serving the meal, they would often come to compliment me in the kitchen; it felt rewarding.”

“I Cook for the World.”

Lo Castro was born in the quaint Sicilian city of Catania and spent his childhood in the small town of Linguaglossa, located on the slopes of Mount Etna. Cooking seems to be embedded in his heritage, with grandfathers on both sides contributing to his culinary roots.

He started cooking at the age of 12 and grew close with a local chef. “It was a small place, but I loved being in the kitchen all day,” he recalled. After culinary school, he began working at upscale resorts in Italy, including the location featured in “White Lotus.”

“My biggest achievement is coming from a small town and now cooking for the world,” said Lo Castro, who also works in various Italian cities and abroad.

However, he remains grounded. “At the end of the day, I’m just a normal guy,” he reflected.

Long Days Mark His Culinary Quest

Regardless of his credentials, Lo Castro commits to long hours. Rising at 5 a.m., he’s on the move for 18-hour workdays across Manhattan, riding his Vespa to check on his three espresso bars. His busiest location serves around 1,500 customers daily.

By noon, he switches gears to focus on his restaurant, ensuring every dish, from soft Sicilian loaves to creamy mozzarella, is prepared with care. “I don’t buy average ingredients. The quality of what you use is crucial,” he stated, sourcing beef from Tuscany and lamb from Colorado.

Meatball Baller

As dinner time rolls around, the atmosphere features sounds from Andrea Bocelli and Frank Sinatra, with tableside fresh ingredients like oils and herbs.

Among his dishes, his meatballs hold a special place in his heart, inspired by his childhood. “Whenever I visit home, I ask for my mother’s meatballs for every meal,” he admitted.

He takes pride in bringing these flavors to New York City, stating, “New York is the capital of the world. It motivates me to work hard for my guests, my company, and my city.”