Testimonials

“I have know Gary for over thirty years, first as fellow architecture students and later as architects here in NYC. When I learned more recently about Gary’s Palladio Risotto concept, I couldn’t imagine anyone better who could do this. After all, Gary’s admiration and study of Palladio is evident in his own architecture. Gary simmers classicism and modernism in an architecture that balances Modesty and Majesty, just like Palladio but only Gary could connect the modest ingredients that make majestic risotto to the simmered ingredients of Palladio’s architecture. With his talk, Gary will take us on a cultural and culinary journey that no doubt Palladio would admire.”

— HENRY MYERBERG, ARCHITECT HMA2

“Gary is a wonderful speaker and I’m inspired to add some more Palladian villas to my bucket list.”

— Amie Rennolds, Architect

“Gary is a prodigious interpreter of Palladio for the American taste. Like Julia Child did for French cuisine, he teaches us things about Italian architecture that we thought we knew, but only skin-deep. Gary takes us down to the beating heart of Andrea Palladio, and the half-millenium of architectural taste since then. Like risotto with white chocolate, his talks are both savory and sweet. Not to be missed!

— STEVE MARCHETTI, STUDIO MARCHETTI

“Given the task, last minute to stir the pot, it was a test of endurance setting the tone of the evening.”

— SHARON KEARNS, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS, PALMB EACH PRESERVATION

“Palladio Risotto was born from a summer vacation in Vicenza while Gary was in architecture school. There, he developed an interest in the work of the architect Andrea Palladio and became passionate about the intersection between Palladio’s architecture, the stories of the clients who hired him and the lives they led - especially their food, and especially arborio rice, the main ingredient of the famous Venetian dish, risotto. Gary has completely immersed himself in the visual beauty and the history of Palladio and the buildings he designed in the Veneto as well as his far reaching influence in architecture throughout the world. Palladio/Risotto is an entertaining, visually rich presentation that introduces the beginner to the work of Palladio and provides depth and nuance for serious students.

Perhaps best of all, is the preparation of a risotto while he speaks so that you can immerse all your senses in the world of Palladio’s Veneto.

The talk is fun, beautiful and delicious. It’s well worth bringing Gary to speak to your group.

— ROBERT FRIEDMAN, FEARLESS BRANDING

“I met Gary some years ago, and I'm sure of one thing: he is the most amazing epicure or connoisseur of the Palladio subject.

Gary knows every single Villa designed by the famous Italian architect. He knows every detail, every material, all the story behind the scenes. It is a pleasure to hear Gary talking about Palladio and all the adventures that Gary had over many years, visiting Vicenza, the town where you can find the most amazing examples of Palladio architecture, visiting Veneto and visiting Italy in general to find inspiration, beautiful raw materials (like stones or bespoke items) for his own projects.

I followed Gary in several Palladio talks and every time I've heard something new, like a surprise for me and all the audience. Palladio made several discovers in the Architecture field, and he has been a genius of the Architecture like Leonardo da Vinci was a polymath of the Renaissance.

Gary, in a delightful hour, is capable to abridge a very long story of the most beautiful of the eighty-eight projects designed and built by Andrea Palladio in less than forty-five years.

We became friends after a significant trip in Poland, in 2015, but this is completely another story...”

— ANTONIO RILLOSI, CEO & FOUNDER, EXTRAVEGA

“Gary Paul introduced me to the genius of Andrea Palladio. I had the privilege of taking his Palladio tour from Milan to Venice in the spring of 2017. His extensive knowledge of the architect and his work transcended time and place. Exploring the Villas of the Veneto with Gary was magical. Classical Roman principles permeated the places we visited and Gary shared his educated and learned intimacy with the buildings and their creator.

I felt enlightened after our voyage. This was a trip I will never forget.”

— RANDY LOMBARD, SOTHEBY’S NEW YORK

Gary Paul, delighted ICAA NoCal this past fall when Palladio Risotto was presented in San Francisco to a large gathering of classical architecture enthusiasts. Slides, anecdotes, humor and delicious risotto combined to make this unique evening a memorable, fun and informative glimpse into the power of Palladio!"

"Touring the Italian countryside with Gary Paul was an intense immersion into all things Palladio. I had no idea there were so many exquisite examples of Palladian architecture available for touring. Some (by luck and by Gary's careful planning) not normally open were toured by my husband and myself in our week long trip. Via Gary's deeply informed tutorials we gleaned a sweeping sense of time and place, culture, and history."

— ELISA STANCIL, DECORATIVE ARTIST AND BOARD MEMBER OF ICAA NOCAL

"Gary's enthusiasm for and knowledge of Palladio are unmatched. Taking a Palladian tour with him is a joy!”

— ELEANOR FOA DIENSTAG, WOMAN AROUND TOWN

“Through your guidance on our recent trip… I learned that Palladio is a lot more than just an “arched window”. Thank you for inspiring us with the magic of the Veneto.”

— STEVE MITTMAN, FERRELL MITTMAN

“The tour of Veneto was a incredible experience! I learned so much about Italian architecture and its influence in the world. I'm so grateful to have such a knowledgeable guide as yourself, show us the best of the best of the region! Bravo!”

— ELISA SOYARS, ELSASOYARS

“I could not have captured those amazing images of Italy if it was not for your perfect orchestration of our journey!”

— DAVID CRAIG, DGPARCHITECTS

The website is really wonderful, all the more so since our time in the Veneto (under your guidance) was so wonderful and meaningful...