Four-star chef Tony Mantuano is known not only in Chicago, but also internationally as an influential culinary force. The James Beard Foundation named him "Best Chef: Midwest" in 2005 and under his guidance, Spiaggia received the James Beard Foundation nomination for "Outstanding Restaurant in America" in 2006 and 2007.

Before opening Chicago-based Spiaggia, Mantuano worked in several Michelin starred restaurants in Italy, including the three-star Dal Pescatore in Lombardia and Da Romano on the Tuscan coast in Viareggio.

As Executive Chef, Mantuano opened Spiaggia to critical acclaim in 1984. Since then, he has owned and operated a number of other successful restaurants, including Mangia Trattoria in his hometown on Kenosha, Wisconsin. Mantuano is currently the Chef/Partner at Spiaggia and will fill that same role at the new Enoteca Spiaggia opening autumn 2008 in Miami's South Beach. Designed by Todd Oldham, Enoteca Spiaggia will occupy the ground floor of the new Fairfax Hotel.

The Spiaggia Cookbook~Eleganza Italian in Cucina, co-authored with Cathy Mantuano, was named by Food and Wine magazine as one of the top 25 cookbooks of 2004 and was also nominated for a James Beard award. Due in April 2008, the Mantuanos share their experiences and recipes from their favorite wine bars in Italy and southern Europe in their next cookbook, Wine Bar Food (Clarkson Potter).

Mantuano has been seen on national TV networks PBS, CNN, FOX, and The Food Network. He is also a frequent contributor to local Chicago television and radio. The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Chicago Tribune have featured him over the years.

Mantuano can also be found coast to coast leading cooking classes and demonstrations from DeGustibus at Macy's in New York's Herald Square to San Francisco's popular Ferry Market. Mantuano and the Spiaggia team have frequently cooked at the James Beard House. In addition, Mantuano serves on the Freschetta Culinary Council with four other leading U.S. chefs.

Under Chef Mantuano's leadership, Spiaggia continues to mark the culinary map. Rated by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago magazine, Spiaggia is the only four-star Italian restaurant in Chicago. Mantuano has also received the Chicago Tribune's highest culinary prize: "The Good Eating Award." Mantuano has become known for utilizing rare authentic Italian products of the highest quality. Mantuano recently unveiled a temperature and humidity controlled cheese cave at Spiaggia featuring Italy's best, from seven year-old Parmigiano Reggiano to a line of fresh and aged Italian botanical cheeses that are wrapped in diverse leaves and flora. Spiaggia bottles its own organic Tuscan olive oil, conducts yearly cooking classes, and leads culinary tours of their favorite Mediterranean destinations. Spiaggia is currently working on acquiring its very own Italian fishing boat that will regularly ship freshly caught Mediterranean fish directly to Chicago.