Tucked into a busy corner of north Phoenix, Sfizio Modern Italian Kitchen is more than just a neighborhood favorite, it’s a family dream realized through mutual respect, evolving roles and shared leadership. Founded by Chef Rocco Pezzano and his son Marco, Sfizio pairs authentic Italian flavors with a modern twist and a philosophy rooted in trust over titles. But the road to success was not an easy one.
While Rocco brought decades of culinary experience to the table, it was Marco, then a college student, who proposed the idea. “He just said one day, ‘Why don’t we open a restaurant?’” Rocco recalls. “I didn’t expect to come back, but when your son says that, you listen.”
That single moment set in motion what would become a full-service scratch kitchen with a loyal following, built not just on recipes and routines, but on communication, humility and the willingness to grow together.
Building Structure from Scratch
Opening Sfizio was far from seamless. With no staff hired up to just a week before opening, Rocco spent seven days a week in the kitchen, trying to hold things together. But the early chaos revealed something essential: Structure had to be built and shared.
“Initially, we were doing everything side by side,” Marco says. “But we realized quickly that wasn’t going to work.”
The two redefined their roles. Rocco took over the back of house, the kitchen and the food, while Marco handled branding, operations and guest experience. That clarity helped them avoid conflict and build trust. “We stopped stepping on each other’s toes and started trusting each other’s space,” Rocco says.
This wasn’t just a matter of dividing tasks but a foundational shift in how they led, away from hierarchy and toward shared accountability.
Leadership without Ego
The transition pushed them both to grow. Rocco had to loosen his grip on doing everything himself. Marco had to speak up, even when it meant disagreeing with his dad. “The hardest part wasn’t the restaurant,” Rocco says. “It was learning how to work together.” “We had to unlearn the idea that being family meant thinking the same way,” Marco adds. To stay aligned, they began having check-ins and encouraging open debate. Their goal wasn’t to win arguments but to protect the health of the business, even in disagreement.
When It All Clicked
There was no big breakthrough, just one busy night in a full dining room where everything worked. The kitchen was humming, the floor was flowing, and both Rocco and Marco knew that it had all come together. “We just looked across the kitchen and knew: We got this,” Marco says. For Rocco, it wasn’t just a smooth shift but proof that their structure was working, and that leadership by trust was paying off.
Evolving the Vision
Several years in, Sfizio continues to grow in reputation and how it’s led. Marco, still a student, brings fresh ideas from outside the restaurant world. Rocco focuses on mentoring his kitchen team and refining the menu. They continue to meet weekly to realign priorities, adjust systems and check in with each other and the team. “We treat the business like it’s alive,” Rocco said. “We’re not trying to freeze it; we’re helping it grow.” Expansion is in the conversation, but only if it protects the culture they’ve built at Sfizio. “We’re dreaming up the next concept,” Marco said. “But it has to feel as personal and connected as this one.” They also talk openly about succession. “Marco’s ready,” Rocco says. “I’m still here, but the long-term vision is his.”
Listening at the Core
At the heart of Sfizio’s leadership philosophy is something simple but powerful: listening. Not just to customers, but to each other, their staff and the business itself. “Some of our best decisions have come from quiet moments,” Marco says. “Observing what’s happening and responding, not reacting.” In an industry driven by timing, precision and pressure, the Pezzanos have found their edge not in speed or ego, but in strategy and self-awareness. Sfizio Modern Italian Kitchen was built one shift at a time, not by titles but by trust, a value that continues to guide its path forward.
From Scratch, with Trust
- Chef Rocco Pezzano leads the kitchen, while son Marco handles branding and operations.
- Their leadership mantra? Listen first, lead second.
- Regular check-ins, clear roles and zero ego help the family-run spot thrive in Phoenix’s bustling dining scene.
- Both continue to grow individually: Marco brings in fresh ideas while still in school; Rocco mentors and evolves the kitchen.
- Their vision includes expansion, but only if it maintains the culture they’ve built.
