Sando's training was honed in the varied kitchens of a large family that enjoyed eating and who preserved the centuries-old traditions of preparing classical Umbrian cuisine. It foreshadowed the adventurous path he was to take, starting as a cook in the Galleria San Pietro, Frascati's most famous ice cream parlor at the age of 15. On his 17th birthday, he moved to the Ristorante Cacciani as sous chef to the renowned Franco Carbonari. Just a few days short of his 21st birthday in 1968, he won another first prize, this one at the prestigious Circolo della Stampa in Milan. In presenting him with his award, the dean of Italian food critics, Vincenzo Buonassisi said, "given the opportunity, you will, one day, bring a whole new dimension to the thousand year old tradition of Italian cooking."