ɹˈoʊɾə wʌz bˈɔːɹn ɪn lˈʌndən, ˈɪŋɡlənd, tʊ ɪtˈæliən pˈɛɹənts, ɹˈiːnə, hˌuː wˈɜːkt ɪnðə ɹˈɛstɹɑːnt bˈɪznəs, ænd dˈɑːnteɪ ɹˈoʊɾə, ɐ ʃˈɛf.
Rota was born in London, England, to Italian parents, Rina, who worked in the restaurant business, and Dante Rota, a chef.