Passion8 » Team

Charlie Robinson

Tori Bagdoian — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 20:13:36 +0000

Charlie grew up in Damascus, MD where his passion for the food and beverage industry began. He has worked in a wide range of restaurants of different calibers, from busing tables and washing dishes, to serving, and management. Charlie always had a natural draw to the bar and how it is able to lend itself to the dining experience. It is not just good food and good drink, but good drinks that were made to compliment good food. Working with the Passion8 culinary team he hopes to offer a new spin on old cocktails, using the freshest ingredients, and mixing up a drink is sure to wow.

Tori Bagdoian

Tori Bagdoian — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 23:56:37 +0000

Tori Bagdoian was born in Long Island, NY and grew up in Bristol, TN. Tori joined the Passion8 family in early 2011. She graduated from Johnson & Wales in May of 2012 with a degree in Event Management and a minor in Food & Beverage Management. Tori’s infatuation with the hospitality industry started as a young girl. Her true passion is working and thrives on creating memorable events for our guests.

Jessica Annunziata

Tori Bagdoian — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 23:27:39 +0000

Jessica is co-owner and general manager of Passion8. She has been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. Jessica grew up in hospitality working in diners and restaurants in New York alongside her mother as an early teenager. The energy and excitement of the industry coupled with her love of people led her to work in many different capacities in the front of the house.

Living in Tuscany was where she honed her fine wine skills along with her passion for exceptional rare finds.

With her husband, Chef Luca as her partner in everything Passion8 was a dream realized in 2006 in Fort Mill, SC. The move to Charlotte is quite momentous and growing the business has been a result of consistent adherence to excellence. Jessica enthusiastically searches for ways to evolve all while keeping a true adherence to quality. She is responsible for marketing, business development and strategy for the extension of what will soon become the restaurant leading the Charlotte food scene.

Dan Brown

Tori Bagdoian — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 23:25:35 +0000

Evan Micek

d3solutions — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 19:37:16 +0000

Chef Evan Micek developed culinary aspirations through his endeavors with many local Charlotte area restaurants, hotels and corporate establishments. He was raised in the southeast yet has traveled around the nation along with a few visits to Europe. He has developed his culinary abilities through Central Piedmont’s Culinary program, in which he was part of the Culinary Club.

He has participated at the local Matthews Farmers Market demonstrating new techniques to use with the harvests that are in season. Evan has worked at some of the top restaurants in Charlotte training alongside some of the best Chefs and using their direction to guide his artistic, flavorful, local approach on food.

Luca Annunziata

d3solutions — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 19:36:35 +0000

“To create beauty is to search… There is no sweet whispers of inspiration that warm and comfort the soul. It is a quest to capture the small flickering light the shines deep within yourself. It can only be harnessed with fortitude, struggle and sacrifice and even then it is illusive if you are not wholly devoted to it.”

Chef Luca began his culinary career under his mother’s tutelage where he grew up in Naples, Italy. Signora Filomena was a tremendous influence on her young son whose passion for cooking was evident early on. Through cooking Luca was able to express himself in a way he had never been able to before. Food was the vehicle that would lead him to later travel the world and discover his own unique cooking style.

Chef Luca is known for his innovative juxtaposition of complex flavors that contrast creating a modernist’s interpretation of cuisine. With over 20 years experience in hospitality Luca has worked in such venerable establishments with Four Stars Five Diamond Restaurants and Hotels around the world.

During his travels Chef Luca has worked in many different countries including finishing his training in San Moritz, Switerland at the Suvretta House a Five Star Leading Hotel of the World. After spending 3 years in Switzerland it was then on to the Dorchester Hotel in London one of the world’s most prestigious hotels. Germany, France, and eventually New York came calling where he worked for Hearst Corporation with Good Housekeeping Magazine in the test kitchen as well as being responsible for preparing private luncheons for the cover models.

Prior to coming to Charlotte he worked for Don Alfonso’s 1890 in San A’gata Italy a two star Michelin Relais Chateaux restaurant considered one of the finest restaurants in the world. He has been a recipient of many awards but what he is most proud of is receiving the esteemed Zagat Platinum Award for Excellence as well as the Passion8’s being named “Top 25 Best Restaurants in Charlotte” from Charlotte Magazine as well as the 2012 and 2013 AAA 4 Diamond Award.