Food & Dining with Mario and Amy - Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.

Television and radio personality Mario Martinoli is a professional chef with over thirty years of experience in busy, and successful restaurant kitchens.

In March of 2008 Mario launched “The Restaurant Show with Mario & Amy” featuring his wife, Amy, as his opinionated co-host on the new AM 830 KLAA.

In 1997 Mario took to the airwaves at TalkRadio 790 KABC with Amy as co-host in what can best be described as one of the most enduring examples of truly entertaining “food talk.” Their two-hour, Saturday food and restaurant show took on light-hearted to serious food topics, and combined them with input from real people who dine out often, and, from those who made an occasional special night out something really special.

In 2005, Martinoli debuted the “Mario Martinoli on Food & Dining” features, heard 3 times each day (including morning and afternoon drive) for two years on KFWB News 980, Los Angeles’ first all-news radio station.
Prior to KFWB, Mario hosted a two-hour Saturday listener participation “Restaurant Show” on KFI AM-640 that attracted a large and loyal audience.

From 1998 until October 2004 Mario was the on-air personality for “The TV Diner” primetime segments for KCAL 9 News, which he originated. These entertaining and highly rated restaurant profiles were added to CBS 2 News in 2002. Mario was both KCAL 9’s and CBS 2’s hugely popular, official restaurant and food authority.

Mario started his culinary career with a modest neighborhood cooking school located in the Larchmont Village area of Los Angeles. After 5 years he opened the high profile, and fondly remembered, “Mario’s Cooking for Friends,” the popular Beverly Boulevard Italian restaurant, café, deli, and gathering spot in Hollywood.

He was also the official caterer for television shows like Seinfeld, Cheers, Wings, and the Arsenio Hall Show.

Since January of 2008 Mario has represented Villa Roma Sausage Company as their spokesperson and culinary consultant. Villa Roma, locally based, produces an appealing line of premium fresh sausages.

In 2004, Mario joined the Smart and Final stores team for three years as their spokesperson and culinary consultant. As part of the association Smart & Final underwrote an intensive, multi-million dollar media campaign in California, Arizona and Nevada prominently showcasing Mario in television, radio, Internet, newspaper and direct mail advertising. Mario traveled the Western States on their behalf, appearing on local television and performing cooking demonstrations at high profile culinary festivals.

A constant in the realm of community service, Mario’s skills were tapped by the national philanthropic organization Share Our Strength. He chaired the 1997 Los Angeles annual benefit, “Taste of the Nation,” a record-setter at the time for funds raised.

From 2001 to 2007 Mario was honored to serve as the celebrity spokeschef for both the Great Chefs of Los Angeles and The Great Chefs of Orange County benefits, supporting the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California.

He is also proud to donate his time as an advisor to C-CAP, Los Angeles. The Careers through Culinary Arts Program is a nationally recognized school-to-career effort, which offers outstanding and deserving students scholarships and apprenticeships in the culinary arts.

Away from the culinary arts Chef Mario’s passions are his co-host and wife, Amy Strong, and their two children, Marcello and Isabella.