Meet Chef Maurizio
Chef Maurizio Mascioli is an award-winning, internationally recognized pizza chef, entrepreneur, and visionary behind Maurizio’s Pizzeria & Lounge in Parry Sound, Ontario. Known for his passion, authenticity, and commitment to quality, Chef Maurizio has built a culinary legacy rooted in family, tradition, and perseverance.
Maurizio is married to his business manager and partner in life, Sandra Porretta, and together they share a beautiful family with Stephanie and Daniel. Their shared values of faith, hard work, and community continue to guide both their personal and professional journey.
Maurizio’s Pizzeria was founded in 2013 alongside his mother, Sina Mascioli, with the original vision of sharing her traditional family recipes and the incredible home-style cooking she is known for. The first location opened on Great North Road in Parry Sound in a humble 459-square-foot space. With a background as a contractor, Chef Maurizio personally renovated the restaurant from the ground up. Determined to open on time, he often slept in his car so he could wake early and continue working. Their doors officially opened in August 2013.
The first year brought many challenges, and the business struggled to gain traction. Listening closely to his guests, Chef Maurizio recognized a growing need for fast, wholesome, high-quality food that could be enjoyed on the go. This insight led him to enroll in the Italian School of Pizza, where he completed several professional pizza courses, transforming the direction of the business.
In 2017, the Canadian Culinary Federation invited Chef Maurizio to compete in a national pizza competition, where he earned first place in Canada. He was then selected to represent Canada at the International Pizza and Pasta Competition in Romania, where, under the mentorship of his coach, Cornelia Volino, he won multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals.
In 2018, he returned to compete again. Chef Maurizio achieved remarkable success, winning several gold medals and bringing home the prestigious Gold Cup Master Chef title, the highest honour at the competition. This competition was a bit different. Not only did Chef Maurizio take home the top prize, he also coached a colleague who went on to win several medals.
In recognition of these accomplishments, he was inducted into the Canadian Culinary Federation and was awarded the professional title of Chef.
By 2019, the success of Maurizio’s Pizzeria had created a new challenge. Guests were lining up for hours, and the original location could no longer serve the community effectively. Many were also seeking a warm and welcoming indoor dining experience, something the small space could not provide. Determined to continue growing while honouring his guests, Chef Maurizio began searching for a new location.
This search was not easy, especially with the need for specialized flooring capable of supporting a 6,000-pound wood-fired pizza oven. After months of looking, he discovered an old car and truck wash on Bowes Street. Once again, he rolled up his sleeves, returned to his contractor roots, and personally transformed the space into the destination restaurant it is today.
Chef Maurizio remains deeply humbled and grateful for the incredible support of our guests. As the 2–3 hour wait has once again become a reality, he recognizes the need to expand so we can continue to serve our community with excellence and heart. Stay tuned as we share the next chapter of our journey and the exciting plans for another location.
Today, Chef Maurizio is celebrated for his signature wood-fired pizzas, global culinary influence, and commitment to fresh, premium ingredients imported from Italy and sourced locally. Through his work, he continues to bring people together, create meaningful memories, and honour the traditions that inspired his journey from the very beginning.