AMERICAN RESTAURANT IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Most recently, Nicholas served as Executive Chef at District Winery in Washington, DC, where he led culinary operations for a $15M+ venue encompassing à la carte dining and a robust events program. During his tenure, he consistently maintained food costs below budget while building and retaining a strong, high-performing culinary team.

Raised in an Italian family, Nicholas developed an appreciation for food at an early age around meals of old-school red sauce, homemade pasta, and cherished family recipes passed down through generations. Those early experiences continue to influence his approach to cooking today food that is approachable, thoughtfully prepared, and rooted in a strong sense of place and season.

A firm believer that “if it grows together, it goes together,” Nicholas is passionate about building relationships with local farmers and purveyors and allowing seasonal ingredients to guide his menus. His cooking emphasizes the natural character of quality ingredients while balancing creativity, technique, and the guest experience.

His career includes leadership roles at The Duck & The Peach, La Collina, The Wells, and The Majestic in Alexandria, as well as banquet and event experience at St. Cecilia in Atlanta. Earlier in his career, Nicholas trained under James Beard Award-winning Chef Linton Hopkins at Holeman & Finch Public House, where he developed expertise in charcuterie, whole-animal butchery, and farm-to-table sourcing.

Throughout his career, Nicholas has built a reputation for creating thoughtful, guest-driven menus, operating disciplined and efficient kitchens, and developing culinary talent into future leaders.

Now, as Executive Chef of TEN TEN, Nicholas brings his culinary perspective, operational expertise, and passion for locally inspired cooking to the restaurant’s next chapter—creating a dining experience that feels distinctly connected to One Washington Circle and the Washington, DC community.

Prior to joining TEN TEN, Christopher served as Director of Outlets at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., where he led a diverse portfolio encompassing restaurant, bar, lounge, coffee shop, in-room dining, and pool bar & grill operations. His experience in a large-scale, high-profile hotel environment gave him the opportunity to support dynamic seasonal programming, creative food and beverage activations, and major events requiring thoughtful execution across multiple outlets.

Christopher particularly enjoys bringing creativity into the operational side of hospitality helping translate concepts into experiences that engage guests and create a sense of occasion. His work supporting seasonal promotions, including programming such as Blitzen’s Bar, reflects the type of experiential approach he brings to food and beverage leadership: combining atmosphere, beverage, service, and storytelling to create something guests remember and want to share.

His background also includes supporting the demands of significant hotel events and high-volume programming, where collaboration, attention to detail, adaptability, and flawless execution are essential.

Previously, Christopher served as Assistant Restaurant General Manager with The Doyle Collection and as a Corporate Trainer with Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants, strengthening his expertise in front-of-house leadership, service standards, and developing teams capable of delivering elevated hospitality. He also spent a decade with acclaimed 2941 Restaurant, developing a strong foundation in fine dining, wine, spirits, cocktail programming, and personalized guest engagement.

A graduate of George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, Christopher brings a valuable commercial and creative perspective to restaurant leadership.

At TEN TEN, Christopher will partner closely with Executive Chef Nicholas Fulginiti and the One Washington Circle leadership team to shape the restaurant’s next chapter—bringing together creative programming, exceptional hospitality, community engagement, and a strong neighborhood identity to position TEN TEN as a destination for Washingtonians and hotel guests alike.