The Vetri Cucina Story
Vetri Cucina has the longstanding reputation as being one of the most respected and influential Italian restaurants in the country.
After years of working in the finest kitchens in Italy and the U.S., Chef Marc Vetri returned home to his native Philadelphia and took up residence in the intimate, historic townhouse that was once home to the lauded Le Bec-Fin. Together with his business partner, Jeff Benjamin, they opened Vetri Cucina’s doors in September of 1998.
Over the past two decades the restaurant has continued to offer outstanding rustic fare, handcrafted pastas, innovative flavor combinations and artful presentations inspired by Italian cuisine. Throughout this time, Marc and Jeff have been honored to give back to the city through their work with the Vetri Community Partnership.
1999
Chef Vetri named one of the “Ten Best New Chefs” by Food & Wine Magazine
2005
Chef Vetri named “Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic” by the James Beard Awards
2007
Osteria opens
2008
Vetri Community Partnership established
2012
Alla Spina opens
2013
Pizzeria Vetri opens
2017
Lunch service begins every Friday at Vetri Cucina
James Beard Foundation Awards
Vetri Cucina is honored to be included among our talented colleagues as a nominee and recipient of the James Beard Foundation Awards for excellence in the food and beverage industry. Throughout our history, we have received the following recognition from the Foundation.
Vetri Cucina
Outstanding Restaurant Semifinalist: 2010
Outstanding Restaurant Nominee: 2011, 2012
Service Nominee Semifinalist: 2011
Service Nominee: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013
Chef Marc Vetri
Outstanding Chef Semifinalist: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016
Outstanding Chef Nominee: 2011, 2012
Mid-Atlantic Chef Nominee: 2003, 2004
Mid-Atlantic Chef Winner: 2005
Mastering Pasta
Nominee: 2016
Vetri Cucina Family
Marc Vetri
Marc Vetri is the chef/founder of Philadelphia’s critically acclaimed Vetri Cucina. A Philadelphia native, Vetri founded the restaurant in 1998 with his business partner, Jeff Benjamin, to universal acclaim. Within two years of the restaurant’s debut, he was named one of Food & Wine's “Best New Chefs” and received the Philadelphia Inquirer's highest restaurant rating, which the restaurant maintained during a re-review in 2018. In 2005, Marc was given the James Beard Award for "Best Chef Mid-Atlantic."
Following years of success at Vetri, Marc, along with Jeff Benjamin, opened Osteria, Amis, Pizzeria Vetri, Lo Spiedo and Alla Spina, all of which quickly won over the dining public.
In addition to his storied career in the kitchen, Marc is also the driving force behind the Vetri Community Partnership, a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower children and families through fresh food and education. He is also the author of three cookbooks, with a fourth, “Mastering Pizza,” slated for release in 2018.
Jeff Benjamin
After graduating from The University of Massachusetts Amherst, Jeff Benjamin met Marc Vetri in New York City while working in the food industry. When Marc decided to return to his native Philadelphia to open Vetri Cucina, he tapped Jeff to be his business partner and general manager—and the rest is history.
Today, Jeff serves as cofounder of Vetri Cucina. In addition to being an integral component of the restaurant’s day-to-day operations, Jeff is the cofounder and a board member of the Vetri Community Partnership. In 2015, he published his first book, Front of the House: Restaurant Manners, Misbehaviors & Secrets, a behind-the-scenes look at the details that go into an evening out. His next book, Praying for Extra Innings, arrives in 2018.
Jeff lives in Cherry Hill with his wife, Melissa, and their two daughters. When not working, he can be found rooting for his children’s sports teams, as well as his beloved Cubs and 76ers.
Matt Buehler, Executive Chef
Matt Buehler began his career in the restaurant industry in eighth grade, when his mother encouraged him to take a job as a dishwasher. He would eventually go on to study at the French Culinary Institute in New York City and cook in some of Philadelphia’s top kitchens. Today, Matt serves as Vetri Cucina’s Executive Chef, translating his love for the freshest, finest ingredients into exciting, seasonal menus.
Off the clock, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. He also stills finds time to cook with mom, who joins us every year to teach a class on preserving summer produce.
Vetri Community Partnership
In 2008, Marc and Jeff created the Vetri Community Partnership as an effort to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which raises funds and awareness for pediatric cancer causes, cures and research. Motivated by this work, Marc and Jeff decided to leverage their own expertise in food and nutrition to benefit children. They tackled the pressing issue of childhood obesity and poor nutrition through “Eatiquette,” the Vetri Method for school lunch. Eatiquette transforms cafeteria lunch into a family-style learning experience that encourages healthy eating habits and fosters an appreciation for fresh, nutritious meals.
Established to help kids experience the connection between healthy eating and healthy living, Vetri Community Partnership empowers children and families to lead healthier lives through fresh food, hands-on experiences and education.