Giampaolo Nundini

Giampaolo Nundini passed away peacefully at 74, on October 21, 2023, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Giampaolo was born on August 21, 1949, in Livorno, Italy, to Adrianna and Sesto Nundini.

At the tender age of four, in 1953, he faced the loss of his father, and he was sent to live at the Citta del Ragazzi in Rome, Italy, where he discovered his passion for the culinary arts. He studied under some of the greatest chefs in Italy and graduated in 1967. Giampaolo was an exceptional entrepreneur and later became one of the top real estate agents in his community in Livorno.

In the 1970s, he made the journey to America, bringing with him a piece of Italy. He started as a dishwasher at a local restaurant but through his tenacious work ethic, he worked his way up to management. This journey eventually led him back to become the head chef at multiple prestigious restaurants, continuing to pursue his passion for cuisine. In 1986, after the birth of his son Christopher Nundini, he temporarily stepped away from the kitchen and began working at Antone's Imports to have more time for his family. In 2001, Giampaolo founded his first company, Nundini Enterprises, where he imported and distributed authentic Italian products in Houston, along with a deli storefront, known as The Nundini Imported Food Store. The same year, he created the iconic gelato company, Gelato Italia, supplying numerous establishments throughout the United States. In 2008, Giampaolo followed his dream and opened his authentic Italian restaurant, the Nundini Chef's Table.

Giampaolo had a zest for life and enjoyed various pursuits, such as traveling the world, gardening, working on backyard projects with his son, fishing, and helping people with their problems. He was known for his unquestionably kind heart, charismatic storytelling, larger-than-life personality, infectious laugh, and delicious food that he loved to share with others. Giampaolo cherished his family more than anything else in the world, both his blood relatives and chosen family.

Giampaolo is survived by his son, Christopher Nundini (Ashlyn), his nieces Paola Nundini and Beatrice Nundini, his nephews Alessandro Nundini and Francesco Nundini, and his life partner Barbara Belobrajdic, stepchildren Blaze Belobrajdic (Liese), Travis Belobrajdic (Meg-Ann), Lance Belobrajdic, and his grandchildren Jericho Nundini, Brenna Belobrajdic, Elara Belobrajdic, Theo Belobrajdic, Blaze Belobrajdic. He is also survived by his godchildren Kristen Gray Coleman, Jeffery Gray, Alessia Snedeker-Mazzoni, and her mother Danielle Snedeker.

He is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his brothers Amedeo Nundini and Franco Nundini.

If there is one lesson to learn from Giampaolo Nundinio, it is to never give up. We all know he never did.

A visitation for Giampaolo Nundini will be held on October 30, 2023, at Assumption Catholic Church from 11:00AM to 1:30PM. Funeral services will follow at 1:30PM.

All services were held under the trusted care of Neal Funeral Home.