From Executive Chef Oscar Gnapi's delicious Italian cuisine at Colletta Italian Food & Wine, to Master Blender Brandon McCraney's honey cask finished bourbon at Olde Raleigh Distillery, you'll be yearning for one—or BOTH—of these fine offerings after listening to this episode of Talk of the Triangle.
- Executive Chef Oscar Gnapi, originally from Paris, France, honed his craft over decades at restaurants and hotels in Paris, Italy, London, California and North Carolina (in Chapel Hill and Cary). For as long as he can remember, Gnapi has pursued the culinary arts. “I was raised in Paris with a very large family and am from a culture where cooking was as valued as breathing air.”
- In addition to serving as executive chef for Colletta Italian Food & Wine, which opened in Cary's Fenton September 2, 2022, Gnapi worked across Europe at five-star hotels, including George V in Paris, and Le Meridien and SoHo House in London.
- Gnapi’s more than 20 years of experience in the culinary industry includes a range of cuisines and a wealth of experience from leadership positions. After moving to North Carolina in 2007, Gnapi served as Executive Sous Chef on the opening team at An: New World Cuisine for three years, followed by Executive Chef of La Residence in Chapel Hill in 2017, and at the Unscripted Durham in 2018.
- Among his most noteworthy experiences, Gnapi credits his work at Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower, as well as his time working with renowned chefs Michel Rostang, Daniel Boulud, Bruno Loubet, Pascal Even, Jean-Pierre Gagnaire, Christopher Mihy, Francesco Mazzei and locally with An's Michael Chuong.
- Gnapi, who met his wife in North Carolina, now resides in Fuquay-Varina with his two young boys. When not at the restaurant, he loves to draw, read, cook and create dishes for his family.
- Brandon McCraney, owner, operator and master distiller at Olde Raleigh Distillery, is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and has spent years immersing himself in the spirits industry to dissect the world of whiskey.
- McCraney's role extends beyond the walls of the distillery to fostering partnerships with local farmers and introducing heirloom grains to the heart of Old Tobacco country.
- As a Raleigh resident, McCraney aims to build a meaningful brand that gives back to the community he loves. His goal is to showcase the positive environmental and economic impacts distilleries contribute from farm to glass.
- McCraney's desire to make a broad impact stemmed from his experience as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, where he proudly served for four years.
- As the sole owner and operator of Olde Raleigh Distillery, McCraney is set on making his family name one to be reckoned with in the craft whiskey world.
- Find out what makes McCraney's old fashioned cocktail so unique and what is involved in making honey cask finished bourbon.
