Fedele Bauccio Honored by Italian President and Consul General
Honorific Title of “Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy” Conferred for a Lifetime of Achievement
Bon Appétit CEO Fedele Bauccio (center right) and Consul General of Italy Sergio Strozzi with their spouses at the Consulate after Fedele received the title of “Ufficiale dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia”
Bon Appétit Management Company Chief Executive Officer and cofounder, Fedele Bauccio, has been honored with the title of “Ufficiale dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia” (Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy). The designation is conferred by the President of Italy and Minister of Foreign Affairs to individuals who have greatly contributed to the promotion of friendly relationships and cooperation between Italy and other countries. In a ceremony attended by family and friends on January 12, 2023, at the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco, Consul General Sergio Strozzi called Fedele an “outstanding Italian and American entrepreneur” and commended him for his long-standing support of the Italian and Italian American activities in San Francisco.
Among Fedele’s many contributions, Strozzi noted his support of “Refettorio San Francisco,” a project led by Farming Hope to promote socio-economic mobility for the region’s most vulnerable citizens while building a healthier food system. The project was created in collaboration with Chef Massimo Bottura’s nonprofit “Food for Soul” with support from the Consulate. Strozzi additionally commended Fedele for his support of the Consulate’s activities and to “La Scuola International,” the only private school recognized by the Italian government in San Francisco.
Fedele’s medal and certificate for the title “Ufficiale dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia.”
For Fedele, whose Italian roots and passion for Italian food culture were the fuel that sparked the idea for founding the world’s first chef-driven food service company, the honor was particularly profound.
“Growing up with Italian traditions and culture, centered around family and food, I am humbled and grateful for this recognition that honors the legacy to my Italian heritage,” he said.
This honor is the latest in a career’s worth of notable awards and titles. Among many accolades Fedele has received are one of the James Beard Foundation’s inaugural Leadership Awards, the International Association of Culinary Professionals’ Lifetime Achievement Award, and honorary doctorates from the University of Portland, the University of Redlands, Notre Dame de Namur University, and the University of San Francisco.