Growing up, dinner was an important part of the day. Mom prepared our meals, and we ate together as a family when Dad came home from work. We went out to restaurants on Saturday night. I know what great hospitality feels like and that’s what we provide to our neighbors in Arlington.
“I was fortunate to have the experience of travelling the world as a kid,” says Greg DeFlorio, who recently purchased Ballston Local after being its general manager for two years. “My dad’s job took us to Canada, Holland, Saudi Arabia, the UK and several U.S. states, giving me a global appreciation of people, culture and food.”
His career path in hospitality began as soon as he was old enough to work at a drive-thru, then progressed from fast food to Five Diamond. He earned a degree in hospitality management while working in front of house positions at various restaurants. Looking beyond service, DeFlorio enrolled in the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York where he trained to be a chef.
After completing school, Las Vegas was calling. Being employed as executive chef in multiple venues at the Bellagio taught DeFlorio to provide excellence in product and service to a discriminating clientele. The culmination of this experience led him to be appointed to the opening team at MGM National Harbor. Responsibilities included hiring, training, menu creation, recipe development, operations, financial responsibility and business acumen for a culinary department of 300 personnel that staffed 12 food and beverage outlets.
Fond of the D.C. area, DeFlorio settled in Ballston. Now he looks forward to bringing all of his life and work experience to the neighborhood gathering place, Ballston Local, and to serve the community as a business owner and resident.