About Gio

Gio Osso is an acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and founder of Virtù Hospitality, recognized for creating some of Arizona’s most celebrated dining experiences. With a career spanning decades in nationally recognized kitchens, Gio has built a reputation for cuisine that is deeply personal, technically refined, and inspired by his Italian/Mediterranean heritage, global influences, and extensive travels throughout Italy.

In 2013, Gio fulfilled a lifelong dream with the opening of Virtù Honest Craft in Old Town Scottsdale. Tucked inside the Bespoke Inn, the intimate restaurant quickly earned national acclaim, including recognition as one of Esquire’s “Best New Restaurants in America,” a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for Best New Restaurant, and praise from publications including The Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine, Arizona Republic, Boston Globe, and Thrillist. In its first years, Virtù and Gio became one of the most awarded culinary concepts in Arizona, while continuing to earn accolades for its cuisine, hospitality, and wine program.

In 2020, Gio expanded the Virtù Hospitality family with the opening of Pizzeria Virtù, an authentic yet elevated Neapolitan pizzeria rooted in Italian tradition and craftsmanship. An AVPN certified pizzaiolo with a lifelong connection to pizza making, Gio brought his signature attention to detail and hospitality to a more casual, but equally thoughtful dining experience. Pizzeria Virtù has been recognized by Gambero Rosso, Italy's most respected food and wine authority, earning 2 Spicchi in 2025 International Guide to Italian Pizzerias. This prestigious distinction celebrates the commitment to authentic Napoletana Pizza, exceptional ingredients, and the traditions that inspire everything Gio does.

 Beyond the restaurants, Gio’s work has evolved into a broader expression of hospitality—curating intimate dinners, collaborations, culinary travel experiences, and gatherings designed around food, wine, story, and human connection. His philosophy remains simple: true hospitality is not about excess, but about creating experiences that feel personal, soulful, and quietly unforgettable.