The Food Biz: The passing of a legend

Legendary Nashville restaurateur Mario Ferrari died last week at age 80, leaving the community marveling at the big life of a very colorful force in Nashville’s hospitality business and beyond.

Ferrari died Dec. 11 in hospice care after a long battle with cancer. He had retired from the business a few years ago; his pioneering establishment, Mario’s Ristorante, reigned for 40 years before it was destroyed by fire in 2006 and never reopened.

Recommended for you