Stefano Secchi's Inspiration
The chef at Michellin-starred Rezdôra & Michelin-listed Massara takes his cues from family ties
At chef Stefano Secchi’s Michelin-starred Flatiron restaurant, Rezdôra, you’ll find one of New York City’s most soulful (and beloved) meals: a regional pasta tasting where diners are treated to plate after plate of delights from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. At his newer sister restaurant, Massara, Secchi explores the Campagnia region, with its own tasting experience.
Both restaurants offer many options, but for Secchi, pasta is the star of the show: Handmade daily, and paired with fresh, local ingredients.
Born in Italy, Secchi has never forgotten his roots. His restaurant, Rezdôra, translates to “head of household”, more specifically, the Italian family’s matriarch, or Nonna.
Secchi tells Broken Palate that both restaurants are a tribute to his family. “I remember summers in Italy watching my nonna work with such precision and care, rolling pasta by hand, closing each pasta ripiena with patience. There’s something sacred about that process. It’s not just food; it’s my family. My father and aunts, uncles, cousins, who all still live in Italia. It’s the history, love, and homage to the head of the household. That spirit lives in every dish at Rezdôra & Massara.”
Secchi’s goal at his eateries is simple but noble. “ We are simply in the business of making people happy, that’s what we strive for every night at Rezdôra & Massara,” he says.
To accomplish that task, the chef takes a 360-degree approach to dining. “It’s never just about the food. It’s the ambiance, the company, the playlist, the story behind the ingredients. It’s when the thought behind a dish surprises you, evokes a memory, or creates a new one.”
The work has paid off.
Rezdôra was given a three-star review by the New York Times and has earned a Michelin star annually since 2021. Massara (the new kid on the block, which opened just about a year ago) has also been listed in the Michelin Guide.
For Secchi, the accolades are an acknowledgment to keep going. “It’s an incredible honor. But we haven’t changed how we cook. We’ve always aimed for absolute top-notch ingredients and excellence. It just reinforces our commitment to tradition and consistency.
And of the tasting menus? For pasta lovers (like me), five courses of the most sublime pastas is tantamount to heaven on earth. The chef agrees with the statement. “We 100% agree. We spend much time developing and arranging the two pasta tasting menus! The Pasta Tasting Menu at Rezdôra is our love letter to Emilia-Romagna, Massara is dedicated to Southern Italy & Campagnia. They are both curated journeys through textures, flavors, and techniques. Each course is distinct, yet connected by region and tradition.”
For Secchi, being soulful doesn’t stop when he steps away from the kitchen. The chef supports City Harvest, which helps to provide food for New Yorkers in need. According to Secchi, the work City Harvest does is essential. “New York City is a community of neighborhoods, and food is at the heart of so many of them. Organizations like City Harvest make sure people don’t fall through the cracks.” And, says Secchi, there’s a great need to give back to their community. “As chefs, we’re in a privileged position — we get to nourish people daily. It’s our responsibility to extend that beyond the walls of our restaurants, and I believe every chef should be part of that, and we have to push to be more impactful outside of our simply our restaurants.”
Secchi is participating in City Harvest's Summer in the City, the organization’s annual summer fundraiser.
On Wednesday, July 11, starting at 7:30 p.m. (6:30 for premium ticketholders). the Lighthouse, Pier 61, Chelesa Piers will be transformed into a mega Jet Set-themed tasting event featuring food from Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria, Bangkok Supper Club, Bungalow, Dhamaka, Ma•dé, Mercado Little Spain, Muddling Memories, Wayan, and Secchi’s Rezdôra. Last year, the event raised enough to feed more than one million New Yorkers — a staggering number. Says Secchi, “We're excited to be a part of it again. City Harvest does incredible work, and Summer in the City is always an excellent, high-energy event with such great participants.”
Secchi provided a sneak peek at what guests will be eating at the event. “We’ll be serving a dish that celebrates summer produce — some sort of stuffed summer pasta...it's become a staple of ours when we participate.”
Tickets for Summer in the City start at $350. Purchase them here.