User:Maxtucci
Oscar Maximillian Tucci
"Max Tucci"
Oscar "Max" Tucci, is the Grandson of famous restaurateur Oscar, of *Oscar's Delcomonico (Down in the Wall Street Area). Max was born on February 14, 1979 in New York City, New York. Growing up, Max lived between New York City, Greenwich, Connecticut and Firenze, Italy. As a youth Max had a very cultured lifestyle, from horses to world travel; and learning how to cook in the famous Kitchen of Delmonico’s. He was educated in private schools in the United States and Europe. At a young age, Max was exposed to the finest the world has to offer. In which, tt was certain Max’s exposure would carry him into a remaining future.
Max became a young equestrian which led to winning many hunter paces around the Northeast. Max developed a passion for photography. Max’s many hours in the field and in the studio resulted in a very successful career in photography. He met renowned fashion photographer, model scout and agency owner Beth Boldt (responsible for discovering Naomi Campbell). Boldt and Max hit it off. At 16, he became her assistant and traveled the United States with Boldt, scouting and shooting models for respected agencies such as FORD and NEXT, to name a few. He quickly carved his name into the fashion photography world. He exhibited his work all over the metro area and won many photography competitions. Crowned by winning the Gold Key Holder of Visual Arts in the State of Connecticut, his portfolio won him the Gold Key and was judged by photographer Cindy Sherman. Max and Beth are developing a reality show for a Southern TV network. Max’s love for fashion did not stop with the camera. At 18, debuted his Ready-to-Wear collection entitled, “My Other Sister”. Max immediately became sought after by many celebrities and socialites around the world. Famed musician, Taja Sevelle personally called Max to be her personal designer for her Matrix Music, Detroit’s on Fire Tour. Max is well known for his hand beaded french lace skirts with interchangeable linings. His work has been used in many photo shoots and showcased at numerous red carpet events. Max then went on to form a men’s line titled, MANBYMAX and a men’s tie collection. His collections are still being sold to private clients.
Max, a handsome renaissance man, loaned his look to designers on the runway at New York’s Olympus Men’s Fashion Week. Shortly after, max became one of Gotham Magazine's "100 Most Eligible Bachelors"On top of his talents Max began a Public Relations firm (TPublic Relations) which included many well known clients from authors, television personalities and musicians. Max’s firm was known for its elaborate parties celebrated at boutiques in New York City and Florence, Italy. While traveling to Max’s Villa in Florence, Italy; Max felt he needed to plant his feet in his heritage for a while and remained for 2 years. While in Italy, Max scouted for international films (as he was the International scout for The Greenwich Film Festival), studied Art History, learned to make mosaics, and restored the Villa.
Max was also known to be the consummate host, creating lavish affairs for designer and celebrity friends while in Italy. He also studied cooking and developed many new recipes in which he will publish in his bachelor's cookbook. Max is also involved in many organizations, such as The Montefiore Children’s Hospital, Community of Unity in New York, The American Ballet Theater, Chances for Children founded by Sarah Ferguson Duchess of York, Boy’s Town of Italy, Fair Fund, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, The Lithuania Orphanage Fund, The Children’s Health Fund and the American Diabetes Association; Max has also become Chairman of SOS Children’s Villages (sosflordia.com) to name a few. Max’s commitment to public service and dedication in working with charities and philanthropies in many sectors and his help to stop diabetes, led, the American Diabetes Association to present Max and his sister Nicoletta with, the Young Leadership in Philanthropy Award. Actress Eva La Rue was on hand with Academy Award Winner Celeste Holm’s to present the award to Max. Max was also part of major television history when Tyra Banks featured Max on her hit show "America's Next Top Model". Max was a Lifestyle expert on the first season, with the likes of Janice Combs, Constance White and Nekole Bloom. Max's involvement with television did not stop there. Max was then featured on "What's Cooking" and has been a reoccurring guest. Max was also featured on WE's show "Young, Sexy and..." Max always leaves a door for television, he is constantly asked to be a part of many TV show's. He has a production company Wild Lily Productions which is now developing a cooking/talk show with NBA star Darryl Dawkins, AKA Chocolate Thunder as Max's co-host. While remaining in the television world; Max also joined the Literary world. He was part of Al Roker's book "Big Shoes, In Celebration of Dads and Fatherhood" He has also been featured on Dr. Grace Cornish's Self-Help Books and has just finished working with Eduardo Xol on his Home Entertainment book release date in October, 2008.
In addition to continuing to pursue his philanthropic and creative venture, Max currently has an "Oscar’s Delmonico The Original"collection of cookbooks, sauces and a home-line in the works. As well as a restaurant group Delmonico LLC™ that was created by Max and his sister, Nicoletta. The Group is researching the possibilities of branding and opening his “Nono Oscar’s” famed restaurant Delmonico's. Max resides between Connecticut, Florida and Italy. Max can be found on the internet at www.maxtucci.com
Update: Max's column 2theMax is a lifestyle/travel concierge resource column for the elite traveler which could be found on www.luxuryfashion.com Update! Max's column 2theMAX! has now become a RADIO SHOW on LA Talk Radio. Visit www.LAtalkRadio.com 2theMAX! is live every Sunday night at 11PM EST. Guests have included, Boy Band Varsity FanClub, Singer/Song Writer Melky Jean, NBA Star Darryl Dawkins, Actor Christian Oliver, Singer/Song Writer Saranagati, ABC's Extreme Makeover Star Eduardo Xol, Photographer Ellen Stagg, Astrologer to The Stars Elizabeth, Teen Talk Live Radio Host Chelsea Krost and many guests and charity organizers. Future Guests will include; CSI Miami Stars Eva La Rue and Emily Procter and the list continues as 2theMAX! becomes one of the internet's hottest radio shows.
Max is represented by Abrams Artists Agency. Contact Mark Turner or Samantha Paladini at 646.486.4600
2 Families Merge, (The Delmonico's and The Tucci's) and Create Restaurant History
- Delmonico’s, at 56 Beaver Street, was America’s first fine dining restaurant. The birthplace of the Delmonico Steak, Delmonico Potatoes, Eggs Benedict, Lobster Newburg, and Baked Alaska, the original Delmonico’s offered a new novelty in dining, including the Parisian "bill of fare", or a carte, (which today we call a menu) instead of a price fix meal. The brick, Beaux-Arts structure was built in 1891 by James Brown Lord. The Renaissance-inspired building is faced in orange brick with a brownstone base and terra-cotta trim.
On December 13, 1827, Swiss brothers Giovanni (John) and Pietro (Peter) Del-Monico opened a small pastry shop at 23 William Street called Delmonico and Brother. Business was growing an in 1829, they rented a room in the adjoining building, at 25 William Street and by 1830, they rented the entire building, which served as a restaurant next to the cafe.
In 1834, the brothers used purchased a 220 acre farm on Long Island (incorporated into Brookln in 1855), where they grew vegetables, many that were not otherwise available in America, for the restaurant. In 1834, they purchased a lodging house at 76 Broad Street.
The Fire of 1835 destroyed much of lower New York including the restaurant and cafe and just two months later, the brothers started rebuilding at 2 South William Street. The building was 3 1/2 stories high, and the entrance featured marble pillars imported from Pompeii, that today flank the corner entrance of the Beaver Street location. The first and second floors featured large "saloons" (dining rooms), decorated with inlaid floors and the most expensive decor. The third floor held several private dining rooms, as well as the kitchen. The cellar included wine vaults stocked with 16,000 bottles of French wine. For the first time, the brothers gave it the name Delmonico's Restaurant. But the public soon called it The Citadel.
In 1845, another fire swept through the city destroying the lodging house, but sparing The Citadel. Under Lorenzo, Peter's nephew, the family business leased a parcel of land at Broadway and Morris Street to open the new Delmonico Hotel, which was the first hotel in the United States to operate under the European plan--with rooms and and meals price separately.
In 1848, Peter retired and sold his half interest to Lorenzo, paving the way for a grand era until 1856 when Lorenzo let the lease expire, closing the hotel In 1856, he opened a new restaurant at Broadway and Chambers Street, turning the Citadel into a luncheonette. In 1862, Lorenzo opened a second restaurant uptown at Fifth Avenue and East 14th Street. He followed in 1865 with a new branch at 22 Broad Street. In 1876, he moved his Union Square branch uptown near Madison Square, and his Chambers Street location to 112-114 Pine Street. Lorenzo died in 1881 and chef Charles Ranhofer took over the franhcise until he died in 1884.
Under the guidance of general manager, Young Charly, a new location was opened on July 7, 1891 on 56 Beaver and South William Streets. In 1923, after only 32 years on South William Street, the Delmonico dynasty came to an end and all the Delmonco's restaurants were closed. Ending an era. It was in 1929, shortly before the Wall Street Crash and Prohibition, Oscar Tucci re-opened, re-established and resurrected the famous South William Street building which he named Delmonico's Restaurant after the original (1837) but which the public knew as Oscar's Delmonico or just simply Oscar's and carried the famous location in the Tucci family for the next 50 years. Without Oscar Tucci, Delmonico's would be a institution and name that would be lost forever.
Tucci made the Wall Street location a popular place to be when he hosted parties for American Royalty, Wall Street Tycoons, U.S. Presidents, International Leaders and Hollywood; Such as Gypsy Rose Lee, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Red Buttons, Lana Turner, President Richard Nixon, Bella Abzug and so many others. Oscar Tucci also retained and continued the original menus and recipes. Tucci, created many famous oddities at Delmonicos; Such as The Wedge Salad and the term 86ed. Tucci, also created famous restauranteurs such as Sirro Maccioni from Le Crique, Tony May from San Domenico and Harry Poulakakos from Harry's at Hanover Square and many others including his son, Mario Tucci who re-established Delmonico's in Greenwich, Connecticut in the 1980's. In which Mario Tucci has passed down the Oscar's Delmonico heritage to his son Oscar Maximillian Tucci.
Because of the Tucci family, the legendary name of Delmonico's is still in existence, many others have tried to re-claim the fame and re-establish the restaurant, however none are affiliated with the Tucci family or The Original Oscar's Delmonico.