[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 122 (Thursday, July 31, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1285-E1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF JOHN PISTO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and career of a 
remarkable American who has spent the last half century helping to turn 
food into public art. John Pisto is one of the original celebrity 
chefs. He is part of the cutting edge group of restaurant professionals 
who have brought the creativity,

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artisanship, art, and excitement of America's best professional 
kitchens to the attention of the general public. And in doing so he has 
helped make his hometown of Monterey, California, one of the world's 
finest culinary treasures.
   Chef Pisto was born in Syracuse New York, on October 16, 1941. His 
Italian immigrant parents, Santo and Santa Pisto, soon moved to 
Monterey, CA where Santo worked as a tailor for the Naval Postgraduate 
School. After graduating from Monterey High School, Pisto began work as 
a line cook at a fish house on Fisherman's Wharf, adjacent to Monterey 
harbor. Within a couple years he had learned, saved, and bought the 
place. The fish house began to acquire a large local following and soon 
celebrities such as Clint Eastwood and Doug McClure began flocking to 
what was one of the few wharf restaurants that actually served fresh 
fish harvested from the Monterey Bay.
   After years of working as a top line chef, Pisto found his calling 
in developing new restaurants. Pisto first established Domenico's on 
the Wharf in the late 80's, then followed up with the Abalonetti 
Seafood Trattoria, followed by Paradiso Trattoria, and finally the 
Whaling Station. Located in the heart of Monterey's famous Cannery Row, 
Pisto's Whaling Station has earned an international reputation for some 
of the world's best steaks and freshest seafood. Each of these 
creations have both boosted the Monterey Peninsula's dynamic tourism 
industry and added to Monterey's hometown charm for its own residents.
   However, Pisto is best known as the host of ``Monterey's Cookin' 
Pisto Style''. His unique style of cooking brings simplicity to recipes 
thought difficult to prepare, always with a touch of humor and 
informality. Pisto will often take viewers on adventures to culinary 
exploits around the world, then return to kitchen to prepare a recipe 
related to the excursion. The show has been filmed in China, Tunisia, 
Italy, France, Thailand, Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, and Croatia, as 
well as dozens of U.S. locales. Celebrity guests have also been brought 
onto to the show, such as the legendary Julia Child, renown chef 
Charlie Trotter, musicians Michael Bolton, Johnny Rivers, Sammy Hagar, 
racing legend Mario Andretti, and the past Secretary of Defense and 
personal friend, Leon Panetta.
   As Pisto slows down his schedule after years of dynamic work, it is 
appropriate to reflect on how much he has enriched our lives. And while 
he may let his business involvement cool down to a low simmer, I know 
that Pisto will continue to enrich the community that has benefited so 
much from his efforts over the past 50 years.
   Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in offering John 
Pisto, his wife Cheryl, son Dana, and daughters Kim and Gia our 
gratitude and best wishes. Buon appetito!

                          ____________________