Young Chef Giovanni LaCorte Brings Culinary Dream to Life with New Central Jersey Restaurant

Every weekend, Joe’s Meat Market in South Bound Brook transforms into a fine dining experience, drawing food lovers to its humble deli.

Now, 20-year-old chef Giovanni LaCorte is taking things up a notch by opening Giovanni’s, a modern Italian-American restaurant, in late December.

From Deli to Destination

Located in a former church fellowship hall next to the deli, Giovanni’s will offer a sleek, minimalist ambiance with Italian-imported lights, wood floors, and even an outdoor waterfall.

With seating for 120 across three dining rooms, the restaurant will cater to both casual diners and those seeking private events or wedding venues.

LaCorte’s menu features refined Italian-American favorites, including $25 rigatoni with truffle cream sauce, $20 chicken Parmesan with vodka sauce, and a decadent $60 lobster oreganata.

“I make good, simple dishes that people love,” Giovanni shared.

From Humble Beginnings to TV Stardom

Giovanni’s culinary journey began in his family’s deli, where he started washing dishes before working his way to the kitchen. At just 18, he became the youngest chef featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, catapulting him into local fame.

Yet, Giovanni faced skepticism due to his age. “People think of my age and don’t think I’m actually doing the work,” he said.

Determined to prove himself, he spent his free days training in Staten Island’s fine dining kitchens, bringing those skills back to Joe’s Meat Market.

Turning Passion into Reality

What started as an experiment—a single table in the deli—quickly grew into a sought-after dining experience. “When I first started, I had no tables,” Giovanni recalled. “Now, as soon as I post my Instagram specials, calls come pouring in.”

For Giovanni, the kitchen has always been a calling. “There was always something in my heart directing me to go into the kitchen,” he said.

With Giovanni’s, the young chef is just getting started. “I believe in myself,” he shared. “It’s just the beginning for me.”

Go: 113 Clinton St., South Bound Brook; instagram.com/giovannisitalianrestaurant113/; opening late December.

Craving authentic Italian-American dishes with a modern twist? Visit our homepage to discover more about Giovanni’s restaurant, its menu, and upcoming events.