General Manager

Antonio Bevacqua

Born and raised in the beautiful city of Montecatini Terme, Italy. A city renowned for its thermal waters, natural hot springs and world class spas. Montecatini is located in the heart of Tuscany. Antonio grew up surrounded by art, culture, authentic Italian food, and wine. All these became passions that stuck with him throughout his life.
Antonio graduated with a degree in culinary arts and hotel management from the prestigious Hotel Management school F. Martini and immediately began his career at prestigious hotels in the Tuscany region as a sous chef and executive chef.
With the aim to grow his education for food and restaurant management, he lived throughout Europe. Antonio worked as a sous chef in Paris at a Michelin starred restaurant Paolo Petrini under Enrico Bartolini, who is one of the most famous Italian chefs that holds the most Michelin Stars in Italy. Antonio also worked in restaurants in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria before moving back to Italy to work under Matteo Tempestini that trained with Alain Ducasse in Monaco, at the restaurant ‘Al Gallo Papa’ in Castellina in Chianti and got a Michelin Star.
A few years later, he took a vacation trip in 2002 to Orange County and he immediately fell in love with the weather, people, and the food. He was immediately inspired by the diversity of food and the restaurant culture of Orange County, and noticed the minimal options for authentic Italian cuisine.
After moving here, he became general manager for major restaurants, such as Provence by the Patina Group, and Canaletto by Il Fornaio in Fashion Island.

Executive Chef

Chef Vince

Passion, mentorship, and teamwork have been the driving forces behind Chef Vincent Celeste’s success in acclaimed restaurants over the past 20 years. Vincent was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV and is a graduate of UNLV. Vincent has trained in Michelin Starred kitchens including OpenAire Los Angeles, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in NYC and Las Vegas, and Bartolotta Ristorante Di Mare at the eponymous Wynn Las Vegas. Vincent credits his passion for traditional regional Italian and Mediterranean cuisine to Paul Bartolotta’s 10-year tutelage. Vincent most recently was the Chef De Cuisine for Michelin two-star Chef Josiah Citrin in Los Angeles at OpenAire and now brings his authentic approach to food as an art form to Bottega Angelina in Laguna Niguel. When Vincent is not leading his kitchen team, he enjoys spending his time at the golf course.

Director of Culinary Operations

Chef Aaron

Aaron attributes his inspiration for cooking to a magical experience at his uncle’s wedding as a teenager. Being asked to assist by his uncle’s friends at the wedding lead to an apprenticeship with Gunter Seeger and eventually a Culinary Arts degree from the Culinary Institute of America. Aaron has traveled extensively for a decade, working in different kitchens under some of the most renowned names in the industry, including his own kitchen at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay. Each kitchen, including his own, has inspired him through creative sensibility, individuality and humility. Through his experiences he has learned how to think outside the box, without boundaries and challenging traditional rules without steering away from the foundations. He believes that once cooking fundamentals take root, the creative possibilities are endless. These experiences, however, direct or indirect, manifest themselves in his kitchen through food and community. Aaron constantly pursues the most pure and pristine products available. Whether hiking through the hills, biking through the city or searching through tidal pools with his daughter, he is always on the lookout for something to take home and cook.

Corporate Chef

Chef Alfonso

Chef Alfonso Sanna grew up in the small village of Villamar in Sardegna, Italy. After receiving his culinary degree from L’Istitulo Professionale Alberghiero in Arzachena, Sardegna, Italy, he gained experience working with acclaimed Chefs throughout Europe. Alfonso journeyed to the United States in 1998, bringing his unique style and delicious dishes to Washington DC, New York City, and Florida before making his way to California. Chef Alfonso joins the Angelina’s family from the Barilla Group where he developed the first Barilla Restaurant in New York City. Alfonso credits his “Nonna” (grandmother) as his primary influence in cultivating his passion for food and maintains his family traditions of using fresh and local ingredients.

Executive Pastry Chef

Chef Massimo

Chef Massimo was born in Albenga, a small town in Northern Italy between Genova and the French border. Growing up with the smell of desserts wafting from the pastry shop below their apartment, Massimo ended up spending most of his time at the shop, especially after school. At an early age of 14, Massimo got his first job during summer vacation as a barista in a seasonal business. After high school, Massimo pursued his passion by attending Professionale Alberghiero di Stato (State Culinary School) and worked in a pastry shop and bakery during summer breaks. Massimo believes he was very lucky to learn through a mentor who was wise and taught him many things at a very early age. The most important lesson Massimo gained from his mentor was “never think you know everything, because that day, you will cease learning.” At 22 years old, Massimo worked in his own baking laboratory for five years. He moved to the US in 2000, where he worked as a Pastry Chef at Antonello Ristorante for almost 20 years. Since his childhood until now, Massimo has retained his love for pastries, still continuing to grow and learn new things.