Gene & Georgetti Receives Prominent Marche Ospitalità Italiana Endorsement By The Italian Government
Chicago’s Iconic 81-Year-Old Restaurant Joins The Elite List of Italian Dining Excellence Recognized Around The World
CHICAGO, Ill – Gene & Georgetti – one of Chicago’s most iconic and beloved restaurants which opened in the River North neighborhood in 1941, has received the prominent Marche Ospitalità Italiana endorsement by the Italian Government, which signifies the mark of quality and guarantees the respect of the typical standard of Italian hospitality.
Established in 1997, the Marche Ospitalità Italiana certification emphasizes the quality of service in the tourism and hospitality sector, which recognizes an establishment’s ability to develop and promote the traditions of Italian food products and upgrade the culture of Italian food and wine, in addition to enhancing the image of Italian restaurants abroad that guarantee the respect of the quality of standards of Italian hospitality.
“Receiving the Marche Ospitalità Italiana certification is an incredible honor for Gene & Georgetti and I am humbled and proud to help lead our hardworking and dedicated team who helped us achieve this prominent endorsement,” says Michelle Durpetti, managing partner and third-generation operator of Gene & Georgetti. “Gene & Georgetti means a lot of things to a lot of people – legendary, iconic, comforting – and having this certification adds a new meaning – globally recognized authentic Italian cuisine and culture that can be found in the heart of Chicago by world travelers and Italian food lovers alike. It’s a beautiful thing”
In order to receive the Italian Hospitality Seal – the Marche Ospitalità Italiana – a restaurant must be a corporate member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and meet five essential requirements:
- The restaurant must have at least one per able to relate with customers in Italian
- At least 50 percent of traditional Italian dishes and recipes must be represented on the menu, and each course must contribute a significant portion to this percentage
- The wine list must contain no less than 30-percent PDO or PGI (DOC, DOCG, IGT) Italian wines and must offer at least PDO or PGI Wines
- The restaurant must offer only DOP or IGP extra virgin olive oil as a condiment
- The chef must be qualified in the preparation of Italian dishes and recipes
“As the third-generation restaurant operator, I like to think that Gene & Georgetti would be proud of their continued legacy with this esteemed accolade,” says Durpretti.
This distinguished certification comes on the heels of Gene & Georgetti celebrating 81-years in business, as well as the restaurant’s refresh following the 2020 pandemic. Since 1941, Gene & Georgetti has been a family-run business, and is now being led by the third generation of the “Gene” family, Michelle Durpetti, and her husband Collin Pierson. Not only is Michelle the third generation of the family to lead the restaurant, but she is the first woman to operate the iconic steakhouse.
Under Michelle and Collin’s leadership, the duo has made thoughtful updates and offerings to the revered restaurant which have led to receiving this globally recognized endorsement, including making housemade pasta and bread, as well as building an extensive wine list with select, unique bottles only found at Gene & Georgetti. Furthermore, the restaurant also offers a plethora of house favorites and steaks for online ordering and delivery in the United States. Those who love Gene & Georgetti can purchase homemade Limoncello (pick-up only), olives, honey, olive oils and more in the online store. However, the real stand-out delivery option for steak lovers is the Gene & Georgetti Meats (online) Store, which offers curated boxes of the restaurant’s exceptional cuts of beef. From Filets to T-bones, to NY Strips and Prime Rib, everyone can enjoy G&G from the comfort of their homes, in between restaurant visits.
Gene & Georgetti is located in the heart of Chicago’s River North neighborhood (500 N. Franklin Street) and is open at 11:00 a.m. daily. For more information about Gene & Georgetti’s seasonal menus, current offerings, online retail store and steak boxes, please visit geneandgeorgetti.com.
