A Sicilian native, Vincenzo Betulia grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin after his family moved there from Sicily when he was 2 years old. He began his career at age 14 with an after-school job in Paul and Joe Bartolotta’s Ristorante Bartolotta. By age 15, he held a prized spot on the pizza line. He ultimately attained the chef position, became a Bartolotta protégé, and helped open two additional Bartolotta restaurants in Milwaukee. While attending the Kendall Culinary School in Chicago, Chef Vincenzo further honed his skills at Bartolotta’s acclaimed Spiaggia. In Chicago, and later in Milwaukee, he worked with Michael White, a fellow Kendall alum and Bartolotta protégé, acclaimed for New York City restaurants including Marea, Ai Fiori and Osteria Morini. On a vacation in Naples, Florida, Chef Vincenzo fell in love with the area and secured a chef's position at Campiello, a staple in the Naples dining scene. He worked his way up to head chef, a position he held for nine years, before opening his namesake restaurant, Osteria Tulia in January 2013, and Bar Tulia in December 2014.
Chef Vincenzo was the first chef in Naples to host a Friends of James Beard Benefit dinner in April 2015. He won a Best Chefs of America Award in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and was featured in a segment of Emeril’s Florida, which aired on the Food Network and Cooking Channel. USA Today’s 10Best recognized Osteria Tulia as the #1 Italian restaurant in Naples, Florida. Most recently, Chef Vincenzo received a Naples Illustrated Readers’ Choice Award 2015 for “Best New Chef.” Osteria Tulia was also recommended by Forbes Travel Guide, Peter Greenberg, The Fifty Best and Fodor’s; and awarded a Naples Illustrated Readers’ Choice Award 2015 for “Best Restaurant,” Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2015, and an Open Table Winner’s Choice Award 2015. In 2013 and 2015, Osteria Tulia received a Golden Spoon Award by Florida Trend magazine, which selects the top restaurants in the state of Florida.
With 5 years of experience in restaurant management, Marcello is passionate about ensuring efficient and seamless operations at Campagna Hospitality Group. A strong leader with a proven track record of driving positive results, Marcello oversees all aspects of the restaurant's back-of-house operations, from kitchen staff and food costs to inventory management and vendor relationships. Marcello’s commitment to quality and efficiency has resulted in consistently high-performing kitchen operations, exceeding customer expectations and ensuring a positive dining experience. A dedicated team player, Marcello fosters a collaborative environment where staff can thrive and contribute to the overall success of Campagna Hospitality
With in his two roles, Palazzi oversees the wine and cocktail program for the entire company, complementing Chef Vincenzo’s direction of the culinary operations of every concept. His responsibilities include assisting with the management of employees, revenue, promotions, marketing, and assisting Chef Vincenzo with creating and launching new concepts, most recently Rouge.
“Basically, I am Chef Vincenzo’s consigliere,” Palazzi said. “We manage, plan and execute together for everyone.”
As beverage director, Marcello Palazzi is a hands-on educator and creator of monthly wine dinners at the restaurants. “I have a passion for creating memorable wine and food experiences with Chef Vincenzo.”
Palazzi, a native of Napoli (Italy), has devoted his career to his passion for hospitality, food and the art of wine pairing with different cuisines. Prior to joining Campagna Hospitality Group, he spent more than 15 years with Winebow Importers, recognized as a leading importer of fine Italian wines. He traveled across the U.S. developing wine lists, hosting events and educating professionals and consumers. He also traveled to wine regions in the U.S. and Europe for in-depth experiences of wineries and winemakers.
His expertise has been tapped for major wine events including the Naples Winter Wine Festival, which named him a wine captain to help select wines, vintners and sommeliers. He has also participated in the Charleston Wine and Food Festival, Walt Disney Food and Wine Festival, Destin Wine Festival, VinItaly International, and San Juan Wine Festival.
Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, Mike is a veteran of the hospitality industry who has worked just about every position there is. His first job in a restaurant was as a busboy, and his hard work and determination helped him work his way up through the ranks as a cook, server, bartender, and manager. He learned the art of hospitality while working in New York for the man who would soon become his father-in-law.
Mike moved to Florida in 1999 to raise his family shortly after marrying his high-school sweetheart. A proud husband and father of four wonderful children, Mike holds himself and his coworkers to a high standard of excellence, but is the first one to crack a joke and help the workplace be a fun and exciting atmosphere. His favorite part of the job is being able to turn things around for somebody who has had a rough day.
Osteria Tulia and Bar Tulia are very special places to Mike, and he considers the restaurants his "home away from home" and his coworkers part of his family. He would tell you he is blessed to be able to work with such talented people who share his commitment to excellence and passion for hospitality.
Chef Rafa was born in El Salvador, into an environment where love and respect for food and healthy produce were pillars of his family education. As a child, he spent time in the kitchen with his grandmother, while his uncle, a pioneer in organic farming, began to pass on to him the values of nature.
Rafa was raised in Naples, and met Chef Vincenzo Betulia in 2001. At 17, he walked through the back door of Campiello, just two years' experience as a dishwasher to his name, to find Vincenzo dicing an onion. Rafa said to him, "Some day, I will learn to cut an onion the same way." And he did. In 2004, Rafa had his first professional experience as a sous chef.
He worked with the D'Amico family of restaurants for 15 years, 11 of which he was able to continue working and learning alongside Vincenzo. Rafa helped open Bar & Café Lurcat and D'Amico's The Continental. After 15 years, he took the position of Executive Chef at Cavo Lounge, working under Rocky Patel. At Cavo Lounge he was exposed to the creative expressions of Italian, Asian, and progressive American cooking techniques. Several years later he took the Executive Chef Position at The Hampton Social for a time, before coming full circle and joining the family at Osteria Tulia, once again working alongside Vincenzo.
Ruth is originally from Long Island, NY, but has lived in Naples for over 20 years. A Naples High School graduate, she started her career in sales and customer service before eventually making a move into hospitality, where she has remained ever since.
Ruth joined the family at Osteria Tulia as a member of the host staff before her hard work and dedication to her craft earned her an opportunity to join the management team. She brings to the floor a welcoming attitude and easy demeanor that make guests feel like they are over for family dinner!
Born and raised in Scarborough, Maine, Bart was practically born into the hospitality industry. He grew up in his family’s premier beachfront hotel until the mid 80’s when a change of pace led them to live in Florence, Italy. Working through kitchens in coastal Maine, Bart recognized his love for cooking and decided to pursue the culinary profession. He attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, where he obtained his Associates of Culinary Arts, and Bachelor’s of Hospitality Management. A desire for sunshine and palm trees led Bart to Naples, Florida where he honed his skills in various hotel positions at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Naples. Ultimately, he spent 16 years as a fine dining server/trainer in the benchmark restaurant, The Grill. When alerted of the opening of Bar Tulia Mercato, Bart eagerly jumped at the opportunity to become a manager of a restaurant group that he has enjoyed dining at for many years. When not working, Bart enjoys spending his free time with his wife and three kids, playing disc golf and relaxing in the pool.
When this Southern California girl with sunny, all-American beauty met a Sicilian culinary artist in Naples, Florida, it was a magnetic attraction of opposites that would change both their lives. As fiances, she and Vincenzo Betulia worked together at a leading downtown Naples restaurant, where they established a reputation as an accomplished young couple balancing their respective talents in the kitchen and dining room. Then came a fairy tale wedding in Venice, and three young sons. With Osteria Tulia and Bar Tulia, Vincenzo and Anna have conceived two more children with their vision and expertise as a team. Anna is known for her warmth and expertly choreographed floor management, and a perfection of service known as "invisible" that makes diners feel like royalty.