Chris DeSimone – Radio Host & Foodie
Chris was born and raised in an Italian American family in New York. He grew up in the family business, a wholesale food company in Brooklyn that imported a variety of delicacies from all over the Mediterranean, especially Italy.
He was surrounded by a family of cooks with the best ingredients. Chris graduated from Northern Arizona University’s School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. His last chef job was the Garde Manger at the Ranchers Club of Arizona, one of Tucson’s highest rated places.
For more than 15 years, Chris’ Proven Partners company has worked with a variety of local businesses, focusing on the food/tourism world, developing a number of tours in Southern Arizona, including the international award-winning Border Crisis: Fact and Fiction and the Best of Barrio cuisine tour. He’s the creative force behind the Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food initiative and partnered with Visit Tucson and the City of Tucson instituting the purple sign program scattered throughout the city. He also hosts the morning drive time radio show, Wake Up Tucson! and will soon celebrate his 12th year on the air.
Cooking remains near and dear to Chris’ heart and while he dabbles in a variety of cuisines, the food of his Italian family is still number one.
