Francesco Tonelli

F ra nc e sco Ton e lli
Francesco Tonelli
photographer
Volume 1
T h e Ton e l l i E x p e r i e n c e
We can’t say this much better than
Anna Tou, Brand Lead Designer for
Chipotle recently did.
“Francesco has a deep knowledge of
food and cooking which is invaluable.
At Chipotle, we work with quite a few
food photographers and stylists, and
it has been really refreshing to find
both of these skill sets in one person.
Everything seems to happen so
seamlessly and effortlessly while on set.
For example, we usually struggle to
describe our chicken’s perfect,
caramelized char to a food stylist.
Francesco and his team simply cooked
the chicken the way chicken should
be cooked and it just so happened
to be the best-looking and most
accurate chicken we’ve shot to date.
Not to mention that he takes all of
our feedback in stride and tirelessly
tries to achieve not only our vision, but
also to meet the very high standards
that he holds himself to. Lastly, the
hospitality we’ve experienced while
working together has been unparalleled.
I promise that you’ll leave Francesco’s
studio a few pounds heavier and a bit
happier than when you arrived.”
Portrait by Candy Kennedy
FOOD. We dream about it, anticipate
it, devour it, savor it and celebrate it,
longing for the next meal.
Photographer Francesco Tonelli
understands this intensely wonderful,
all-encompassing culinary experience
better than anyone. A former chef,
he lives, breathes and eats food as both
a profession and a pastime.
And it is this passion for all things
epicurean that enables Francesco to
deliver a unique and unexpected
perspective to every single project.
Tonelli’s mouthwatering photographs
transport us into a magical world,
one that uses food as its guide.
The images on these pages are
testament to his sublime vision, and
collaborating with him is nothing
short of transformative.
“Francesco’s meticulous, detail-oriented approach to photography captures
the beauty of each dish, turning every shot into a masterpiece.”
– jean-georges vongerichten
“Francesco is not only a pleasure to work with but has a talented, professional crew that makes
the day run like clockwork.” – kerry quigley, design manager, visual branding, nestlé
“I have an immense
respect for Francesco.
He has incredible
creative vision, bringing
passion and perfection
to every shot.”
– heather black,
art producer,
deutsch
Foraging for nettles at Paisley Farms, NY
I Love NY Cookbook
Chef Christoph Zangeri,
Hotel Tannenhof, St. Anton, Austria
The dining room at Jean-Georges Restaurant,
NYC
Chef Daniel Humm,
NoMad Restaurant, NYC
Detail of Campari bottle
Olive Splashing into Martini
“Francesco is the most talented photographer I have ever worked with.” – daniel humm
“I’m ecstatic when Francesco is assigned to my New York Times’ stories.
He has the best grasp of the actual cooking process that goes into the food. He’s the only
photographer I know who can actually improve the recipes he’s shooting.”
– mark bittman, the new york times
“Working with Francesco is always such a
pleasure. He’s world class, collaborative and
a partner in the real sense.We always arrive at his
studio with great excitement and leave reluctantly. ”
– cliff lewis, art producer, droga 5
“Shooting with
Francesco is a
feast for the eyes and
for the stomach!”
– carol brandwein,
art producer,
publicis kaplan thaler
“The best ingredients I put into my work are the cherished memories of
my Italian childhood shaped around my mother’s fresh, simple cooking.
I invite you to come and share these memories with me.”
– francesco tonelli
T h e st u d i o EXPERIENCE
“Buongiorno!” A booming, friendly voice greets you the minute you arrive at Tonelli Studios’ fully equipped,
3,000 square foot studio just outside of Manhattan, perched high above the Hudson River. Sun floods in through
enormous windows, the Pinot Bianco flows freely, the air is filled with the irresistible aroma of rosemary and
basil, and you feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If not for the Manhattan skyline
in the distance, you might actually believe you were in Tuscany, or Positano, or any number of wonderful Italian
destinations that immerse you wholly in food and culture. Francesco understands what it means to live well, and
his philosophy about life and art permeates every experience he has and every exquisite image he shoots.
M e et ou r C l i e nts
Who comes to Tonelli Studio?
Droga5, McCann Erickson, Daniel
Humm, Chipotle, Mars, and
Chobani, to name a few. Why?
Because working with Francesco is
an unforgettable experience – and
the fruits of his labor are always
breathtaking. Here are a few of the
clients that have come, dined and
worked with us at the studio. We’re
happy to Uber you out here, too.
The New York Times
The Tucci Cookbook
Bon Appétit
I Love NY Cookbook
Mars / CBX
Asiate /Mandarin Oriental,
NYC
Playboy Magazine
Cooking Light Magazine
Breyers / DDB
Burger King /
McGarryBowen
Visa / DDB
Zumba Lovers Cookbook
Dove / CBX
Chipotle
The Culinary Institute of
America Street Foods
Cookbook
Chobani / Droga5
Ruths Chris /
Merkley + Partners
Jean-Georges Vongerichten,
NYC
Swanson / BBDO
Art Culinaire Magazine
Berio / Colangelo
Moccia Zabov
Hannaford Magazine
NoMad Restaurant, NYC
Hotel Tannenhof, St Anton,
Austria
Maxim Magazine
Eleven Madison Park, NYC
The Mark Hotel, NYC
La Bernadin Privé, NYC
Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, NYC
Affi / McCann
Hotel Il Cantico, Rome
Knorr / JKR
Bertolli / CBX
Kraft / Nitro
Sex and the City / Pepsico
Planters / Draft FCB
Marinela / McCann, Mexico
W h o Is F ra nc e s c o ?
became a professor of culinary arts
at The Culinary Institute of America,
and a prominent R&D chef and food
stylist for La Cucina Italiana in Milan,
developing and styling hundreds of
dishes for the magazine. His comfort with food, the cooking process,
and the people who create food has
endeared him to renowned chefs,
creative directors, account executives
and food marketing professionals alike.
Whether he is collaborating on
cookbooks, traveling to food expos
and conferences, judging food
photography contests or consulting
on recipes for commercial food clients,
Francesco’s immersion in the world of
food has made him one of the most
sought-after food photographers.
Portrait by Candy Kennedy
He is not just a photographer – he
is a guide who takes his clients and
guests on new and exciting journeys
into the world of food. Born in the
Marche region of Italy and raised
in Milan, Francesco’s style is rooted
in a deep, passionate and lifelong
understanding of food. His earliest
and most valuable lessons were learned
from his mother, who grew up on a
farm in central Italy and understood
so many aspects of food-making, from
harvesting crops to making olive oil.
The meals she cooked every day
incorporated seasonal ingredients in
a way that not only respected but also
enhanced their flavors, and Francesco
still applies her lessons when preparing the dishes he cooks today. After
many years of working in kitchens
and hotels across Europe, Francesco
wwww.francescotonelli.com
Represented by JK& / 914.962.0002 / [email protected] / www.jkand.com