Michael Paoletti

An Ocean Springs native, Michael grew up in the realm of southern cuisine, but was also highly influenced by his Italian heritage. Michael’s mother cooked often and that is where the initial love and passion came from for him. After a brief stint in college, Michael transitioned into the realm of construction for ten years while raising his oldest daughter. Once he learned all that he could and there was no more room for growth, the old passion for cooking came back to the surface and lured Michael to Jacksonville, Florida for culinary school. While in school, Michael began working at the top restaurant in the city, Restaurant Orsay, and worked his way up from dishwasher to sous chef. Since moving back to the coast with his wife, Stephanie, and their two sons, Michael has honed his craft of butchery and is pushing the boundaries with food, in hopes to change the food culture in his hometown.