Growing up in a family in the culinary field, Vitto Lombardi started cooking at the age of eight.

“My mom was not the best cook, so I thought if I could do it and put good food on the table, why not?” he said.

His love of experimenting with recipes and sharing his cuisine with family and friends led the high school junior to attend the Culinary Arts program through Eastern Long Island Academy of Applied Technology. He recently participated in the American Culinary Federation “Ready, Set, Cook” competition hosted at the Milliken Technical Center. He was paired up with three other students and a professional chef advisor. He had one hour to prepare an entrée, starch and vegetable using only the mystery ingredients provided to them. As a result of his efforts, Vitto was awarded a $12,000 scholarship for future studies at the Culinary Institute of New York at Monroe College. Congratulations Vitto!