Gabrielle Coniglio
The Foodie
The youngest of eight children in Palm Beach’s well-known restaurateur family, 24-year-old Gabrielle Coniglio (never Gabby) practically grew up at E.R. Bradley’s Saloon, Cucina Dell’ Arte and Nick and Johnnie’s. So it only makes sense that after graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans, she found her calling in the kitchen. Despite having no formal training (although she credits her mother, Palm Beach Mayor Gail Coniglio, for inspiring her by cooking for the family), Gabrielle worked as a line cook at Commander’s Palace for a year before returning to Palm Beach in May 2013 and introducing an eatery component to The Bee (formerly Bee Organics), the vegan café run by her brother, Nick. A free spirit, she also cooks privately for a family in Palm Beach and is always looking for her next big adventure.
“I never thought the restaurant life would be for me until I fell in love with cooking. After that, I realized this was where I was meant to be.”
Her role in the family: The jokester.
Her first duties at Commander’s Palace: I peeled and deveined shrimp for 12 hours a day.
How she cooks: I research, I read tons of recipes for the same thing and then I create something different.
What she orders at The Bee: The living tacos: walnut meat on a piece of lettuce with cashew cheese, purple cabbage, mixed beans and salsa—and I have to add the fresh guac.
Confession: I used to go over to E.R. Bradley’s during my shift at The Bee and eat one piece of bacon.
Her eating habits now: I still eat the same way I did but more in moderation. I just pay more attention to what I put into my body and where it came from.
The next dish she wants to master: My mom’s pasta recipe.
Her other passion: Traveling. I went to Peru in October, and I think my next trip will be to Bali.
Her next adventure: I’m looking at moving to Colorado.
Where she sees herself in 10 years: Back here. I couldn’t stay away for too long.
Where she shops: My sister Christina’s closet.
What she would do if she were invisible for a day: Eat food off other people’s plates.
Favorite Coniglio tradition: Sunday dinner.
Her deserted island essentials: A friend who could build, at least one pan and Chick-fil-A fries with barbecue sauce.
The title of her autobiography: Eat Your Way to Happiness.
Photography by Robert Nelson.
Shot on location by Palm Beach Illustrated at The Breakers.
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