By Brandy Welvaert, bwelvaert@qconline.com

Photo: Submitted Celebrity Chef Johnny Ciao adds seasonings to a dish as he cooks for a crowd.

Photo: Submitted Celebrity chef Johnny Ciao

For celebrity chef Johnny Ciao, "the culinary rocker," all roads lead back to the kitchen.

Mr. Ciao grew up in Queens in what he describes as a traditional Italian family -- "My mother was an excellent cook. My grandmother, a phenomenal cook" -- and has worked in radio, as a communications consultant, and in entertainment management on both coasts.

Today he spends much of his time traveling, cooking and hosting events like the one he will bring to the Quad-Cities in July.

The Johnny Ciao Blues Buffet featuring the James Montgomery Blues band will be from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at the new Waterfront Convention Center, 1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf.

"The cause is fabulous, and then you get to hang out with moi," joked the chef in a recent telephone interview from his home in upstate New York. "They get to see an incredible music show, too. You just can't go out and do this for the price of a ticket."

During the event, Mr. Ciao will roam the crowd, talking, mingling and playing the harmonica with his friend James Montgomery, who will perform with his band.

The buffet will feature several of Mr. Ciao's signature dishes, including his take on the Italian peasant dish pasta e fagioli (pasta with beans) that includes not only beans and pasta, but also jalapeno peppers, crystallized ginger and asparagus.

"And then I add shrimp to it, and what comes out is an outstanding stew," he says.

The first time he served it was at Willie Nelson's annual picnic in 1984. Yes, Willie Nelson. In fact, Mr. Ciao has cooked not only for and with country stars -- resulting in a book/video package titled "Cooking with Country Music Stars" -- but many others, including the King of Pop.

While working as a domestic director at the 2,800-acre Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, Calif., Mr. Ciao had the opportunity to cook for not only Michael Jackson, but also many high-profile guests, including Marlon Brando and Gregory Peck. Mr. Brando, he says, wanted to be in the kitchen with him as he cooked. "He could have eaten anywhere ... but he wanted to eat right at the counter with me," he says. "It was really intimidating!"

He also has cooked for the Grateful Dead, Carlos Santana, Whitney Houston and Hank Aaron.

He calls his food "Euro-California cuisine" that puts all the fresh fruits and veggies available in California to good use.

"You're able to create a fusion and a very simple one. My food is very healthy and very simple, and that's why everybody loves it," he says.

Tickets for the Johnny Ciao Blues Buffet are $100 per person or $750 for an eight-person table. To buy tickets, call (309) 762-4653.

The event, the first of its kind, is a charity function of the John Deere Classic and will raise money for The First Tee of the Quad Cities, a nonprofit that introduces disadvantaged kids to the game of golf.

First Tee "brings kids into the game and does all of those life-skills things that we like," says Clair Peterson, John Deere Classic tournament director.

The evening of July 3, Johnny Ciao will be at Symposium Cafe, 4009 E. 53rd St., Davenport.

"I will be appearing, and my food will be on the menu. I'll be the guest of Chef Josh Guthrie," he says. "After 6 p.m., people can come down and say hello."

Sports writer Tom Johnston contributed to this report.