About

Joe Porco is the son of Gino Porco, one of the original owners of Villa Borghese. He and his cousin Stanley Porco opened the doors of Villa Borghese in March of 1971. Joe attended Marist College, where he graduated with a degree in Business in 2008. In his earlier years Joe worked as a server and maître d’ at Villa Borghese and later became a Banquet Manager.

After graduating college while in pursuit of a financial career, he worked at various a la carte restaurants and event venues in New York and New Jersey. He then went on to pursue a career in the financial sector before ultimately returning to Villa Borghese in 2011. Joe and his cousins Paul and Carlo look to maintain the tradition begun by their fathers; of delivering elegant events to the Hudson Valley.

Nicole is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America with over fifteen years of management experience in hospitality services. Her passion started in her senior year of high school where she took a culinary arts elective program. Her talent earned her a scholarship through a national high school competition. While studying at the CIA Nicole worked in several hospitality venues & positions to gain valuable knowledge of all aspects of the business. Midway through her degree, she participated in an externship at The MGM in Las Vegas.

After graduating Nicole has worked collaboratively with a talented team of professionals to provide unforgettable, intimate and upscale affairs in private country club settings, elegant waterfront ballrooms, bed & breakfast as well as outdoor tented receptions. Nicole has also successfully executed off-premise affairs in local barns, historic sites and private homes. Nicole Joined Villa Borghese in 2016 and works side by side with the Porco family to coordinate both daily operations and events. During her time here she has built strong customer and co-worker relationships with her personable demeanor, attention to detail and commitment to the client.

Paul Porco is a graduate of Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. Here he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. He started his career by opening a chain of Fast Food Pizza Chains. He spent four years successfully operating this profitable chain in two states: West Harford, Connecticut and New Rochelle, New York. Paul later joined a restaurant chain to advance his knowledge of restaurant management and to pursue work experience in a high-volume Italian dining establishment. Paul stayed with Bertucci’s Restaurant chain for four years.

In 1998, Paul returned to Poughkeepsie, New York to work alongside his father Stanley Porco at the Villa Borghese. Since Paul’s arrival at Villa Borghese, the business has been transformed inside and out. Not only is it considered one of the foremost caterers, but and it is also an exquisite and elegant venue as well. In 2000, Villa Borghese was recognized as one of the premier wedding venues in the Hudson Valley. In 2020 the introduction of “Mangia” off-premise catering and Villa Borghese on-premise venue make Paul and the Villa Borghese staff the best in the Hudson Valley.