Portugal native, global restaurateur and executive chef Antonio “Toni” Pais was a culinary leader and fixture in Pittsburgh for more than 40 years. Pais died July 7 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 69.
“This was an extraordinary man and there’s not one person who could say anything unkind about him. He was so respectful of everyone,” said Pais’ wife, Becky, on Tuesday. She praised her late husband for “totally changing” the Pittsburgh elegant dining scene.
Pais introduced diners to Mediterranean dishes with a Portuguese influence, ushering in a fusion food movement in Pittsburgh. He was also known for his constant smile, warm greetings and hospitality. “He was doing farm-to-table before anyone else was,” she said.
“The New York Times visited and he created a dish with seven different onions.” The couple, married since 1993, lived in Point Breeze. She described him as a “stepfather extraordinaire” to her two children.
“I will miss his hugs — and he was hugger. He would hug everyone.” The news of his death was posted this week by a friend, at the request of Becky, on Pais’ personal Facebook page.
“God Speed, Toni. You were loved,” was the simple message informing friends that Pais died Sunday night. The hundreds of online condolences posted there are a testament to the impact Pais left on Pittsburgh’s restaurant scene.
Over the years, he owned Baum Vivant and Cafe Zino in Shadyside and Cafe Zao in Downtown Pittsburgh..