We don't need to talk about the food," said Giovanni DeNegris, kidding only a little. "I am who I am with the food." This is certainly true. Throughout his career, the chef's culinary focus has been unwavering. His is the cucina povera (cooking of the poor) of his native Puglia, the stiletto heel in Italy's boot.

His rustic style served him successfully for eight years at Trattoria Trullo in Lincoln Square, and Macello in the Market District. A lease dispute forced him out of the former, and he sold the latter, announcing his retirement last year.

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Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/