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EXPERIENCE
Catering to guests in both a literal and figurative sense for over twenty years, Mark Sparacino has a wealth of experience in the food and beverage business locally, nationally and internationally. This journey began at a young age and has culminated in his successful catering company, Traveling Fare, as well as in a much loved Italian restaurant, Sparacino’s, on Chicago’s burgeoning West Side.
After attending Chicago’s Loyola University with a mind to becoming a marketing executive, Mark realized his true love within the kitchen of Lettuce Entertain You’s Avanzare, the epicenter of chic Italian dining in the mid 1980’s. Here he delved into the world of rich sauces, complex plating and elegant presentation. One of the lessons learned working with one of the country’s most successful corporations was the importance of food cost and working within the margins.
Taking the lessons from one of Chicago’s best kitchens with him, Mark embarked on a mission to learn the other side of the business, the so-called “front of the house” where Guests are wowed with kindness, or not, on a daily basis. He chose as the place for this experience the uber-hot Topo Gigio, in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. At its original location, Topo Gigio was one of the first trattorias in early 1990’s Chicago. As such, it catered to an eclectic mix of the city’s movers and shakers, from visiting and local celebrities to politicians, business moguls and the Ladies Who Lunch. Mark’s magnanimous personality was a perfect mix with the lusty Roman cuisine, helping to create a Fellini-esque astmosphere that has kept Topo Gigio among the City’s dining treasures.
In 1994, Mark and his family opened Traveling Fare, a catering company that focuses on upscale, social and corporate events for groups as small as 12 and as large as 1200. During the dozen years that Traveling Fare has been wowing its Clients, Mark has added new types of food to his repertoire, from French classics to sultry Caribbean cuisine. Along the way, he has learned the basics of Kosher catering, the importance of working within a budget, regardless of its size and that at the end of the day, the Guest is always right.
All of Mark’s years in the business culminated in the 2001 opening of his namesake restaurant, Sparacino Ristorante. Along with his family, Mark has operated this 50 seat dining room to rave reviews ever since. The Chicago Reader commented on the “sophisticated classics…and tempting pasta dishes;” Chicago Magazine the, “sinfully rich gems;” and Dining Entertainment called it “a little spot of heaven.” Other publications have lauded his efforts there as well, including Metromix.com and Chicago’s Italian community stalwart, Fra Noi.
In 2007, Chef Mark teamed up with is sister, Stefania Sparacino and opened PROSECCO! For the Prosecco project, Mark tailored the menu to regional Italian favorites. In March of 2018, PROSECCO went under a total renovation while keeping with its Venetian roots.
In the spring of 2016, Mark teamed up with Chicago-based BDG Hospitality Group to open Sophia’s, an Italian restaurant in Austin, Texas. Sophia’s is a sexy and modern take on a classic Italian-American supper club. The 3,700 square-foot restaurant marries family recipes with contemporary flair to serve up familiar Italian dishes and libations in a stylish and sophisticated space. The sleek atmosphere completes the dining and social experience to allow for the perfect ambiance.
Sophia’s Executive Chef Mark Sparacino’s menu highlights include homemade pastas, whole roasted fish and shareable antipasti. Mark’s menu is complemented by a beverage program featuring unique takes on Italian cocktails, house-made liqueurs, and an extensive selection of wines from France, Napa Valley and of course, Italy.
Along with BDG Hospitality Group, Mark is the Executive Chef behind the menu at LiqrBox in Chicago. The three-level, 7,500-square-foot club is located at 873 N. Orleans Street at the former Stone Lotus nightclub site. Food items include amped up pizza rolls, fish tacos and a take on spaghettios.
Mark Sparacino has spent his life traveling the world, visiting ports of call as far flung as Rio de Janiero, Monte Carlo and Capetown. In each new locale he has looked for unique ingredients to incorporate into his dishes, each plate a mini-masterpiece filled with flavor, heart and soul. And this culinary journey is far from over. His deep passion for cooking, entertaining people and his first-hand knowledge of how to run successful hospitality businesses will be the guiding light to the food side of the PROSECCO operation.
