In today's episode, I sat down with longtime Northern Colorado restaurant veteran Paul Pellagrino. I first met Paul over 20 years ago when his catering business was still called All Occasions Catering, and we got reacquainted this summer when I started adding his Italian food specialty store, Gelato & aMore, to my regular lunch and boutique grocery experience.
Paul did not disappoint, bringing in specialty drinks and cheeses and treats from his store - which features all of his favorite things from history. From the Chianti that was hung from the ceiling at Bisetti’s, to the Jersey ham and Italian favorites that he grew up with, to my favorite Italian coffee - Lavazza - and many amazing take and bake options! All this - and amazing gelato and amore! - oh, and a whole catering business I’ve barely mentioned that anchors it all!
Paul takes us on a tour of his life in Northern Colorado, starting with working at the Beaver Meadows restaurant in the way back before he met his wife, who has been his partner in food ever since. There are twists and turns, ups and downs, Nita Crisp cracker business, COVID navigations, catering for the Dalai Lama, a kitchen fire, and so much more. So please tune in and enjoy my conversation with Paul Pellagrino.