STATEN ISLAND LEADERS IN BUSINESS, CULTURE, AND THE ARTS SHARE FAVORITE GLOBAL FOOD CITIES, TOP FASHION BRANDS, AND WHAT SUCCESS MEANS TO THEM
BY ERIK SCHONING, MADELYN DAWSON, AND ZACHARY WEG PHOTOS BY TOM ZAPCIC
Richard Wubnig
Director of Sales, Gerald Peters / geraldpetersinc.com
Though he works with precious metals and glittering gemstones, Richard Wubnig’s passion is people. “The truth is I started in this career because I love dealing with people,” he said. “Jewelry is an afterthought.”
He began his vocational journey at Macy’s and was quickly promoted to the jewelry department. By 23, Wubnig had established a relationship with local fine jewelry boutique Gerald Peters, where he spent four years before moving to retailer Michael C. Fina. Fifteen years later, Gerald Peters recruited Wubnig to return, where he’s remained for the last decade and currently serves as the director of sales.
“I can probably tell you everything and anything there is to know about diamonds and watches,” he said. “I’ve done everything there is to do surrounding fine jewelry, and a lot of people are impressed with that. But what really drives me is hearing people’s stories.”
For Wubnig, engagement rings carry the most personal, inspirational stories. He recalls helping couples choose/ design their rings, then later working with their children. He once sold an engagement ring to an older man, an immigrant who proposed to his wife decades earlier with nothing more than a piece of string, who came into Gerald Peters to buy his wife a diamond ring for their 50th anniversary. “You really do become a part of the process and the family,” Wubnig said.
Today, Wubnig looks forward to Gerald Peters’ upcoming relocation to a larger showroom, with ample space for more diamonds, but more importantly, more stories.
WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU?
Success in my professional career means consistently exceeding my targets and quotas, building strong and lasting relationships with clients, and continuously improving my skills and knowledge in the jewelry industry. It’s not just about hitting numbers, but also delivering value, fostering trust, and achieving long-term client satisfaction.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP GLOBAL FOOD CITY, AND YOUR FAVORITE DISH IN THAT CITY?
My top global food city, hands down, is New York City because of its wide array of food offerings that cater to so many tastes and preferences, at any given time of the day. My favorite food there would have to be the classic New York style pizza. The city is renowned for its delicious pizza characterized by its thin crisp crust, generous toppings, and iconic foldable slices.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FASHION DESIGNER/BRAND?
My favorite designer/brand would have to be Rolex. I admire their timeless craftsmanship and the prestige associated with their watches.
Daniel Garbacz
General Manager, Ferrari of Central New Jersey centralnewjersey.ferraridealers.com
From his sharp haircut to his sleek designer shoes, Danny Garbacz is a consummate European gentleman. A native of Poland, the genial 47-year-old immigrated to the U.S. at 18. He nurtured an early interest in fast cars, and today he serves as the general manager at Ferrari of Central New Jersey, a position he said fulfills a lifelong fervor.
“I went to automotive school in Poland and always had a passion for cars,” he said. “I was always into racing, and Ferrari was always on my radar as a kid.”
In 2004, Garbacz began his career with Ferrari of Central New Jersey as a technician and, after 14 years as the service director with another Ferrari dealership in the tri-state area, he returned to the iconic brand’s Central New Jersey branch. “I’m very happy to be back at this store because this was my baby, “he said. “I always had a personal connection to the store and I’m thrilled to return.”
WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU?
A good measure of success is seeing and realizing the positive impact that I’ve had on others. Working alongside them, helping someone realize their own potential and achieve their goals that they might not have otherwise achieved, makes me feel like I have done something right.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP GLOBAL FOOD CITY, AND YOUR FAVORITE DISH IN THAT CITY?
Florence, Italy, and tagliatelle ai funghi e tartufo.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FASHION BRAND/DESIGNER?
I like to wear European-style suits, and my favorite brand is Hugo Boss. I also wear of a lot of Ferrari-branded clothing. I wear of a ton of Ferrari dress shirts.
Peter Bereza
Culinary Director, The Nicotra Group / lorenzosdining.com
A Tottenville native, Peter Bereza’s longstanding family history in the restaurant industry, his mother’s love of cooking, and going to work with his grandfather, a chef who hailed from Venice, all made an impression on him, shaping his early career. His passion for the kitchen led him first to New York Restaurant School and later to Mossant Bistro at the Hotel Monaco in Chicago, where he landed his first full-time chef position. He returned to Staten Island a few years later, and in 2006, he took a position as a part-time line cook at Lois and Richard Nicotra’s Hilton Garden Inn and Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret, which had just recently expanded to a full-service, 250-seat ne dining restaurant.
There, Chef Bereza discovered his two loves. He became enamoured with menu development in the kitchen of Lorenzo’s, growing into his role and eventually becoming culinary director for the Nicotras’ family of restaurants and the 50,000 square feet of event and banquet spaces housed in Nicotra’s Ballroom and Above, as well as the couple’s two social enterprise eateries, COMMONS café and Pienza Brick Oven Pizza Café. Chef Bereza also found romantic love, meeting his now-wife of 11 years, Corinne Arena, senior vice president for ‑ e Nicotra Group, as they worked side by side in Lorenzo’s for the Nicotras.
“Becoming a chef was in my blood,” Bereza said. “Contrary to what people see on reality shows, I think managing a kitchen is not about me. As the chef, it’s about the different personalities and talents in my kitchen, keeping everything organized, and treating everyone with respect. If you can do that, you can manage a kitchen that’s my recipe.”
WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU?
Success means that my family is comfortable, that my two daughters are healthy, and that they don’t need anything. That goes for my work life too; if my team and our guests are happy and satisfied, I’ve worked successfully to represent Lois and Richard Nicotra and fulfill the mission of what Team Nicotra works to achieve. I’ve also found that as a father a bit of flexibility during the day to perhaps drop them off at school or see a show that they are in during the school day, makes me feel successful in that I’ve achieved a balance in an industry that normally doesn’t afford that.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP GLOBAL FOOD CITY, AND YOUR FAVORITE DISH IN THAT CITY?
I’ve traveled throughout Europe and the United States, and I’ve worked in Chicago, a great city, but there is nothing like New York City. Nothing beats the cuisine available and the unlimited, international options. For me, my favorite dish is close to home; now that we’re able to source fresh vegetables and herbs from Nicotra Grown: Organic Rooftop Farm, it elevates what we are doing on Staten Island at the Hilton to world class cuisine. I have two favorites from our kitchens at the Hilton. One is our short rib with a side of fresh, braised rainbow carrots from the Nicotras’ farm. I have to add that my comfort go-to is our Rigatoni Buttera with ground sausage and peas and a touch of cream.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FASHION DESIGNER/BRAND?
While it might not make the runway for Fashion Week, my favorite brand is KNG for chef coats. I wear my chef coat daily, and the ability to be at the heat of the stove and, at the same time, look sharp to interact with our guests table-side is the fashion and function I need.
Nick Cammarato
Owner, Breaking Bread / breakingbreadsi.com
For Nick Cammarato, Breaking Bread in Seguine Plaza isn’t just a restaurant, but a home. A former builder and new restaurateur, he opened his Italian eatery with his wife Nicole just over a year ago, and the couple has already put it on the map. “It was purely by accident,” he said of his entry into the restaurant industry. Acknowledging it’s a “tough business,” the Cammaratos found success in their cozy, old-world concept, a family focused environment inspired by Nick’s ancestral Italian roots. “Being in business a short time, I’ve developed a closeness with my customers,” he said. “They come in religiously on their specific days and certain hours. Even though I’m a small place, my products are second to none. I want to put that out there. My main goal is that I don’t want to create restaurant food. I want to create home food. I want our restaurant to be an extension of your home.”
WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU?
It’s all about family. Breaking Bread was my wife’s vision, her passion, her whole life. She really wanted something of her own and, finally when we got it, we made it our own. We did it our way.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP GLOBAL FOOD CITY, AND YOUR FAVORITE DISH IN THAT CITY?
New York City is where it’s at for Italian food as far as I’m concerned. Pasta is the basis of all Italian food, I believe, so pasta would be up there.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FASHION BRAND/DESIGNER?
I’m a normal, low-key level person. Whatever makes the day go by. To pigeonhole myself to one brand would be difficult.
Frank Rizzuto
Owner, A Salute Italian Restaurant / asalute.com
Frank Rizzuto opened A Salute in a storied former church on Matawan’s Main Street that dates back to 1850. The history contained within its hallowed walls is palpable; one can almost feel the 170 years within every room. Rizzuto’s goal was to create an experience that fused the classic surroundings with the flavors of modern Italian cuisine, and customers have responded by filling the house every night. The restaurant is also a popular choice for special events and regularly hosts high-profile fundraisers for New Jersey’s notable political figures, among other gatherings.
Rizzuto himself has led an interesting and varied life through his many business ventures, both in and outside the restaurant industry. He’s worked in the oil and energy sectors and also helms a finance company, which is still in operation today. Since getting into the restaurant industry in 2010, he’s found rousing success. In addition to A Salute, Rizzuto owns two other thriving restaurants/bars: the dockside favorite Inlet Café Tiki Bar in Highlands, and Good fellas, a beloved brick-oven pizzeria and bar in Staten Island. As the sole owner of all three successful restaurants, Rizzuto has a full plate, but one needs to only read the customer reviews of all three locales to discover how well he continues to serve his many dinner guests.
WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU?
Success is when you have a vision, and you execute the plan and everyone succeeds.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP GLOBAL FOOD CITY, AND YOUR FAVORITE DISH IN THAT CITY?
I have traveled and been fortunate enough to grow up in the New York City metro area, which includes New Jersey restaurants. Where we are is by far the best global food area in the world.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FASHION BRAND/DESIGNER?
I have my own style depending on the day or mood I’m in