Frank Borda, (know affectionately to his friends as Franco,) was born in south Philadelphia, and has been a driving force within the community ever since. He is currently the owner and executive chef of the HighNote Cafe /Restaurant (1994) & Next door Francoluigis Pizzeria (1985 ).Now Borda's 1982 Franco's last name.
Franco's first musical performance was as a pretzel vendor in South Philly. He pushed the pretzel cart at age seven and sang his "Fresh Pretzel" aria at the top of his lungs. His daily salary was five dollars a day.
In 1980 Franco graduated as a drama major from the Creative and Performing Arts High school on south Broad Street during their inaugural year. The walls of that school could probably tell you a few stories of Franco and his friends during that first year. From there his vocal studies took him to Settlement Music School, followed by Bryn Mawr Conservatory under the tutlelage of Catherine Barone. After Bryn Mawr, Franco began study with Marianne Casiello of the Curtis Institute of Music, and found outlet for his talent with the Bel canto Lyric Opera. He still fine-tunes his lyrical voice with Enrico DiGiuseppe, formerly of the Julliard School of Music, and leading tenor with this country's premiere opera house The Metropolitan Opera in New York. Franco's name has become synonymous with Italian Music in South Philadelphia. He has been heard at Vendemnia, the Italian Mercato and the Ocean City Pops. He has sung in several operas with the Lyric Opera of Philadelphia under the baton of Maestro Carl Suppa, and Tony Publiese. He is a strong advocated of young talent. He is constantly providing young singers with numerous performance opportunities as he himself understands the perils of the music business and wants to give as many young artists as he can the opportunities to move forward in a very competitive field.
Franco is a completely self taught chef. Much of his training comes from the "old-world" Southern Italian recipes of his family who come from Calabria, Italy. He has been cooking professionally for 20 years. His Pizzeria has been thriving since he began, and his restaurant HighNote Cafe has been tuning out great pasta dishes for almost 14years (1994). Franco believes that great Italian food is simple to prepare, using only a few ingredients and letting them sing out in the dish. the greatest food of Italy is to be found in the home, using the ingredients available to these "home-cooks" with a powerful combination of passion and knowledge. He always strives to give the guests in his restaurant that "Prepared at home" feel and taste with every dish. Italian food has no pretense; it doesn't need any.
The two most defining aspects of Franco's personality have always been cooking and singing.Years ago he combined the two in his HighNote Restaurant, thus giving his guests a sensory experience that they never forget. Food and wine have always been a great marriage, but with Philadelphia's singing chef, one more level is added with his music.
Now as Philadelphia's Singing Chef, Franco is taking performance art to the next level. He will be "performing" singing and cooking at the same time, while combining food education with music education. His dream is to have his own cooking show where he will do just that. In the near future, Franco will be "Cooking Puccini" where he will be singing the arias of the great Italian composer while cooking the foods and serving the wines of Puccini's particular region. Franco will be joined by several of South Philadelphia's opera singers. Guest of this event will be directly involved in the cooking process, be able to see the food being prepared with detailed instruction by the chef, and then be able to enjoy the dishes while listening to the music.
If you are planning a fundraiser, the singing chef is a great addition. Franco makes all of his fundraising expertise available to his clients and becomes directly involved in the planning process.
Franco loves his hometown, so The Singing Chef can be seen anywhere he can to promote Philadelphia's food, sights, and talent. He will also be bringing the foods of Philadelphia to other cities as a culinary and musical ambassador.
Franco has his own music CD which you can hear him sing Italian & Americam Songs, and can be bought at the restaurant for $10.00.
Franco is in good company. Many of this country's greatest singers come from Philadelphia, including Mario Lanza, Enrico DiGiuseppe, and Frank Guarrera (formerly of the Metropolitan Opera). The Singing Chef also sings popular Italian songs, as well as jazz standards, and musical theater.
Inspiration comes to Franco through the melodious laughter of his two beautiful children Anthony and Maria, and from the tender and supportive love of his wife Teresa. He is carrying on the traditions of his family by teaching his children his values, his music and his great taste in fine food.
|
