Nick Capaldi is 26 and a native of New Jersey. He is currently enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park N.Y. He grew up cooking in his families restaurants as well as opening his own sandwich shop in 2012 which he later sold to pursue a formal culinary education. An award-winning chef, having already received SJ Magazine’s Best of the Best 2016 Best Sandwich, South Jersey Magazine: Best of Best, and the Reader’s Choice Best of the Best Scratch Made Soups, 2015, and Best of the Best Pretzel Sandwich, 2017; he works diligently at the Crystal Tavern, where he helps develop recipes, creates daily specials and serves as the PM lead chef. With an Italian upbringing he focuses on using Italian preparations with international ingredients.