Mimmo’s pizzeria and restaurant. Photo by Shanti Boyle.

ESSEX -- Michele Spano, also known as the “Singing Chef,” is back cooking primavera, meatballs, and sub sandwiches for Mimmo’s Pizzeria & Restaurant patrons in Essex Junction.

The 46 year-old has been working as the head chef at Mimmo’s since his brothers Dominic “Mimmo” Spano and Simone Spano opened the Essex branch 17 years ago.

Restaurant-goers will be pleased to know that they can once again hear Michele’s melodious baritone ring through the dining room, as Mimmo’s in Essex is open for dine-in service, as well as take-out and delivery.

Michele notes that some of his favorite dishes are the chicken parm, lasagna, balsamic chicken salad, and buffalo chicken pizza. Some of the most popular dishes include their house-made tiramisu and cannolis.

For people cooking at home, Michele says that simple meals can provide as much enjoyment as a complicated recipe.

“Cooking is not hard!” he says. “For example, boil some water on the stove and add a pinch of salt. Add your spaghetti. Wait until it tastes tender, then drain the water and warm up some sauce and put it on the spaghetti and pour a glass of the wine and you are all set!”

Michele is glad that the restaurant has opened back up and his family’s business can once again resume its integral role of feeding the Essex community authentic Italian meals.

“I really love that our family has brought the importance of family into the business. We have hosted families for many years that keep coming back to eat great food in our family-friendly atmosphere. We have watched kids grow up and return to be a great part of the community,” he says.

Mimmo’s is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and for delivery Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.