Stripped Down

ROCKY FINO

Rocky Fino learned his lesson young: as a short Italian kid with a big nose, he would have to rely on more than looks to get him laid. Lucky for Fino, whose lack of musical talent kept him from joining a band, he was graced with a different lady-luring ability. He was funny. And he loved to cook.

A quick study, Fino taught himself to seduce women by intertwining his talents with food with those of his tongue. And now, through a series of books and national speaking engagements, he’s showing other men how to use humor, creativity and attention to detail in the kitchen in order to entice their women into the bedroom.  By breaking down cooking into easy steps and adorning recipes with amusing personal anecdotes, Fino’s books and demonstrations help men get over their intimidation in the kitchen and reassure them that they, too, can successfully plunge into a woman’s heart (or pants, depending on the objective) by first piquing an interest in her stomach. 

Fino’s three books, Will Cook for Sex: A Guy’s Guide to Cooking, Will Mix for Sex: 21 Classic Cocktails to Set the Mood and Will Cook for Sex Again, Again and Again, published by Stephen’s Press, have earned him praise from publications such as Men’s Health Magazine, Maxim, Hooters Magazine, Philadelphia Inquirer and St. Petersburg Times. Armed with a B.A. in Radio, Television and Film from Temple University and an M.B.A. from California State University, Fino is the resident cooking expert for TV8 in Vail, Colorado, and appears frequently on TV news and cooking shows in Philadelphia, Manhattan and St. Louis.  As a leading proponent for pairing and cooking with craft-brewed beer, the California-based author and presenter is also the featured guest chef for the Atlantic City Beerfest.

Although his books are geared toward a male audience, Fino’s appearances cross gender lines to inform and educate both men and women equally, and can be tailored to audiences of any type. As noted by Pasadena Weekly in its review of Will Cook for Sex, “The book is not crude, offensive or condescending in the slightest. Think of Fino as your best friend, giving you advice before the big date.”  

From a very young age, Chef Geoff discovered the love of cooking from his mother and grandmother, traditional northern and southern Italian cuisine.  He has owned the Bulk Head Restaurant in Barnegat at the age of 21 and has worked at Il Giardino Sul Mare, C’est La Vie, and The Downtown Restaurant, as the pastry chef; to name a few.  

His success led to an opportunity to work for Jon Bon Jovi as a personal chef, along with several engagements with the Canadian Embassy.  More locally, Chef Geoff has participated in the Taste of the Nation, now of Ocean County, during the past eleven years, Share our Strength, appeared on various television networks performing cooking segments, received a total of twelve write up stars.  Also has been featured in many local and tri-state area write-ups.  Also participated in culinary food shows with Emeril Lagasse, Claire Robinson, Giada Di Laurentis, Guy Fierri, Ted Allen, Duff Goldman, Tyler Florence, just to name a few .

Most recently, Chef/Owner of The Copper Fish Restaurant in Cape May, NJ has been nominated as the Best Seafood Restaurant at the Shore, Zagat rated, and Best Restaurant ’08 and ’09 and ‘10. In 2007 Johnson took over ownership of the Copper Fish Restaurant in Cape May, NJ where he enjoys coming up with progressive culinary techniques to create a balance of exploratory, yet approachable dishes.

Johnson’s goal is to provide guests a unique and modern culinary experiences grounded in the context of traditional flavors. In addition to his broad professional experience, Johnson’s education has been primarily self-taught, 18 years, working through the ranks, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the ever changing industry. He owes much of his knowledge to his mentor Chef Paul Lombardy, the Culinary Education Center, the Academy of Culinary Arts and many of the other chefs that he has worked under.

Additionally he is working on a series of cookbooks to be released sometime in the coming year. He hosts his own radio show on cooking and discussions about the restaurant industry where he “cooks” in the studio for his loyal listeners. He can also be found working with Russell Newberry of the “Deadliest Catch” on Discovery Channel, promoting the “Dangerous Wines” and with his addition-“Dangerous Chef” promoting “Dangerous Food”.

Johnson can also be seen as a cheftestant on an upcoming new Chef competition TV series on the Bravo Network to be aired some time in June 2011. Also part of Team NJ dinner at the honorable James Beard House Jan. 26 2011 to a sold out dinner. With local celebrity status, Johnson also performs chef demonstrations at the restaurant, touring areas of New Jersey, be it private, group or at food shows, inviting other chefs to participate and share their culinary prowess.

www.thecopperfishrestaurant.com

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