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BORN
1936
DIED
2022
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Carlo Middione Obituary
May 14, 1936 - September 26, 2022
Carlo Middione, celebrated chef and beloved culinary personality, died in hospital in San Francisco on September 26. His restaurant, Vivande Porta Via, was a favorite of both locals and celebrities (Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro were fans) and inspired the creation of other important Italian restaurants in the city.
Middione began learning about food at home and in the restaurant opened by his Sicilian-American parents in Southern California, enabling him to boast that he had spent 70 years in the restaurant business. He is credited with putting the food and culture of Southern Italy on the food map. The San Francisco Chronicle Food editor, Michael Bauer, proclaimed him "…a giant in the food industry."
Middione was also a radio host and television personality. He starred in 42 episodes of his own series "Carlo Cooks Italian" produced by the the Discovery Channel. He was an inspiring chef/instructor at the California Culinary Academy and at Tante Marie's Cooking School in San Francisco.
His numerous awards include two James Beard Awards. In 1997 the Government of Italy recognized him as having one of only 18 "…true Italian restaurants outside of Italy." Middione's four popular cookbooks are The Food of Southern Italy, La Vera Cucina, Pasta, and Panini.
His wife, Elizabeth Derby Middione, predeceased him in 2018. He is survived by his sister, Dee Stonebraker, of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Carlo Middione
Sponsored by Tulip Cremation- California.
Dan Avakian
September 26, 2025
Carlo was one of the nicest, most gracious men I´ve ever met. He was a guest on my radio show several times, always bringing the most amazing food. Whatever he touched turned into pure culinary magic!
I´ll never forget his charm, his sense of humor, and most of all, the way he treated everyone he met with kindness and genuine warmth.
I´ve dug out some of those old radio shows and transferred them to digital so folks can hear for themselves just how admirable he truly was.
Jeff Nicholes of Lapoint, Utah
October 8, 2024
I did not know Carlo Middione personally, but I was a fan of Carlo Cooks Italian reruns after getting home late at night from my first semester of college back in the fall of 2003. He seemed to have a deep passion for Italian cooking and watching his show inspired me to develop a passion for cooking although I'm not a major Italian food fan.
Carrie Freyn
September 24, 2023
Carlo was a wonderful man, and a amazing Chef. His passion for the traditional food of his home country was inspiring and a gift to us all.
Saandra Nazzal
September 14, 2023
Carlo was a neighbor of mine and will be missed by many.
Carole and Michael Woomer
December 3, 2022
I will never forget our visits with Uncle Carlo! He shared many stories of his childhood with my Mother. He will always be near and dear in my heart.
Grace Van Horn
November 28, 2022
My Uncle Carlo was an amazing person with a wonderful personality, he was loved by everybody that knew him...We will miss you, Love Grace, Rick, Jerry, Olivia and Cindy
Michele Monson
November 18, 2022
Vivande Porta Via was the "club," where I enjoyed an uncountable number of lunches chatting with Carlo, Lisa and the staff from a perch at the counter. He enriched our Italian dining experience in SF for decades both on Fillmore Street and at the Opera Plaza location. I was sad to hear he's left us. The photo made me smile. Thanks for the memories.
Angela Nagele
November 13, 2022
Carlo was a true treasure of the Middione family. His passing is a sad loss to our family but also to all who knew and loved him.
Mrs Frank Clima
November 10, 2022
My husband and I had many wonderful meals at Vivandi Porta Via. Thank You!
Mrs. F Clima
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