Adorable Story #113: Sirio Maccioni

The Maestro of Fine Dining

“My job is not just to serve food, but to create memories for people.”

— Sirio Maccioni

Sirio Maccioni at Le Cirque in New York in 1981 — Photo © by Slim Aarons / Getty Images

Sirio Maccioni was a man who forever changed the way the world dines out.

Known as the celebrated founder of Le Cirque, one of New York City’s most iconic restaurants of the last century, Sirio’s life was a masterclass in charm, entrepreneurship, and culinary excellence. For 4 decades, Sirio was more than just a restaurateur: he was a tastemaker who combined impeccable service with a passion for fine dining.

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Table of Contents: Early Life: From Tuscany to the World / Moving to America / The Birth of Le Cirque / Family and Personal Life / The Closure of Le Cirque / Later years / One more thing…

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Early Life: From Tuscany to the World

Sirio Maccioni was born on April 5th, 1932, in Montecatini Terme, a spa town in Tuscany, Italy.

His early years were shaped by the frugal life of the Tuscan countryside and a family that valued hard work: his parents ran a small farm, and Sirio’s first exposure to food came from the traditional Italian meals prepared at home by his mum.