Our Story

Guido Fratesi has been immersed in the culinary world for most of his life.  Growing up in Italy where his family owned and operated a highly successful restaurant, Guido spent most of his adolescent life performing different restaurant related jobs and learning every nuance of running a fine dining establishment.  Upon graduating college, Guido enjoyed a successful career as a Chief Technology Officer but decided to give it up and focus his energy to his first love, the restaurant industry.  Guido performed the role of General Manager at various highly successful restaurants in Turin, Rome, and San Francisco before making the move to the South Bay.  Born and raised in Southern California, Collette Pankopf has been cooking for most of her adult life.  Originally a skilled pastry chef, Collette learned how to run a kitchen under the strict tutelage of Guido’s father and Executive Chef, Duilio Fratesi, and graduating from culinary school in Italy.  After Executive Chef roles in various restaurants in Turin and Rome, Chef Collette moved to San Francisco Bay Area and was the Executive Chef at highly acclaimed Vin Antico (in San Rafael) upon its opening.  Vin Antico received numerous favorable reviews for its honest, rustic Italian fare.  With over 30 years of combined restaurant experience, Collette and Guido are proud to bring authentic regional Italian fare to the South Bay.  In addition to serving delicious, real Italian cuisine, they also hope to educate Americans in a “laboratory of flavors” and stay true to the Slow Food movement and principles.  The Slow Food movement envisions a future food system that is based on the principles of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability, and social justice – in essence, a food system that is good, clean and fair.  Our defense to the fast food culture of today should begin at the table with Slow Food.  Slow Food lets us rediscover the flavors and savors of regional cooking and banish the degrading effects of Fast Food. In the name of productivity, Fast Life has changed our way of being and threatens our environment and our landscapes. So Slow Food is now the only truly progressive answer.  Slow Food guarantees a better future. Slow Food is an idea that needs plenty of qualified supporters who can help turn this (slow) motion into an international movement.   Coccole Laboratorio del Gusto is the manifestation of Guido and Collette’s dream of offering Americans a truly authentic Italian dining experience right here in Southern California.  Coccole is an unpretentious, friendly neighborhood restaurant with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.  We hope you will join us soon for the experience.
Collette Fratesi Executive Chef		Guido Fratesi General Manager