When Italian-born and bred Angelo Elia made his approach to South Florida practically 30 years in the past, it grew to become very evident that the world lacked high quality Italian delicacies. Having a long time of Italian cooking expertise, which started at age 12 in his mom’s house kitchen in Italy, Elia made it his mission to supply high quality elements to conjure up traditional Italian staples and make them a mainstay within the tri-county space. His dream got here true with the opening of Casa D’Angelo in Fort Lauderdale in 1998, and success rapidly adopted. Now, Elia oversees The Angelo Elia Group restaurant empire with over 500 workers throughout 4 high quality eating eating places, 4 Angelo Elia Pizza, Bar and Tapas places and one Angelo The Bakery Bar.
Elia just lately determined to promote the Pizza, Bar and Tapas places to additional concentrate on high quality eating whereas indicating new ideas, places and ventures are forward.
After engaging in his mission of bringing genuine and high-quality Italian dishes to South Florida, his enterprise success reworked into serving to the local people, which has develop into instrumental in his endeavors. Elia has made giving again to the South Florida neighborhood a major a part of The Angelo Elia Group’s platform. The in depth checklist of philanthropic work consists of supporting most cancers foundations, together with the Pink Angels Memorial Basis, volunteering culinary help for Nova Southeastern College’s yearly Celebration of Excellence, working with the famend James Beard Basis, supporting the Funding Arts Broward group and internet hosting annual fundraisers for the Tempo Heart for Ladies of Broward County.
Who’s been your largest affect within the restaurant business?
I’ve been concerned within the restaurant business since I used to be 12 years previous with my mother. She was my greatest affect in every thing I used to be doing. She was very specific and really powerful.
What did you be taught from her?
I discovered the fundamentals, that are crucial issues in actual Italian delicacies. She taught me every thing you wanted to achieve success: the standard sauces, the inventory, the hen broth, the selfmade pasta, the recent elements, the recent meat and fish, every thing.
What impressed you to open your first restaurant?
I left my home in Italy once I was 14 years previous and by no means got here again as a result of I wished to show that I may do it by myself. I went to New York and stayed there for about 17 years, then moved to South Florida to open my first restaurant.
What have been a number of the challenges opening over 25 years in the past?
I used to be one of many few Italian eating places to open once I received right here; most individuals didn’t know what numerous the meals was. They didn’t know what a burrata was. I used to be one of many first ones to begin bringing all one of the best cheese and elements and it was a threat as a result of folks didn’t know. It was a problem attempting to carry conventional Italy again to South Florida as a result of it was all fettuccine alfredo and issues like that. If you happen to do one thing the best manner, folks will come again.
What do you assume has been the important thing to your success?
Be secure. Be dependable. Use the highest quality elements and deal with our company proper. I attempt to be one of the best day by day. On daily basis is a journey; day by day is a problem in life and my spouse has supported me each single day.
How do you handle such a big, loyal workers?
Deal with all people the best way I wish to be handled. Respect all people and provides them nice pay to allow them to help their household and never must search for a special job. We’re like a small household firm as a result of my spouse and I are the one house owners, however my workers and I are like a household on the finish of the day. We like one another; we respect one another. Everyone desires to work at Casa D’Angelo as a result of even when we now have a few unhealthy months a 12 months, we’re nonetheless one of the best and busiest restaurant on the town and I really feel very assured to say that. Workers need to really feel snug and luxuriate in working and I would like everybody to be handled proper, in order that’s why I’m concerned in all of the roles on the restaurant.
What are a few of your favourite Casa D’Angelo dishes?
The Fiori Di Zucca with zucchini flowers. The veal chop is one of the best. The white truffle within the winter and the black truffle in the summertime are all the time favorites.
What’s your favourite Italian dish?
I really like an excellent dish of pasta. I really like the essential tomato-based pasta. It’s one of many nice issues in life. I feel Italian is all about simplicity. If you wish to have an actual lovely piece of fish, all you want is a bit little bit of olive oil and lemon, not one million little objects.
Which native charities are you concerned in?
I’m concerned with lots of them, however crucial to me is PACE [Pace Center for Girls Broward]. We’ve raised over one million and a half thus far. Yearly, we shut the restaurant and have a giant get together for them to lift about $100,000 every time. I’m additionally concerned with Nova Southeastern College’s Night time of Excellence, cooking for 500-600 folks.
How did you get entangled with PACE?
A few years in the past, I received a thousand {dollars} in a raffle. Once I went to choose up the cash, I noticed their lovely heart. I took the cash and gave it again to do one thing to assist this lovely facility develop.
Why do you assume it’s so necessary to be concerned with charities?
God gave me an excellent life and I like to offer it again.
How does it really feel to see your affect utilized in constructive methods?
It feels nice. You accomplish a lot in your life and to do one thing like that’s actually wonderful.
Who has influenced you to assist in giving again?
My spouse actually pushed me to take action a lot with the neighborhood. We even have numerous good clients who come right here and like to offer again, so they assist me with numerous charities.
What do you take pleasure in concerning the South Florida neighborhood?
I really like every thing about South Florida. I discovered my house, my spouse and my household right here. I’ve my son and daughter, who’re the thrill of a lifetime. That is my house and the place I discovered my success in giving again. It’s been a journey. I nonetheless really feel like a 30-year-old man. I look ahead to opening new eating places and holding the journey going and rising my fame daily.
Images by Eduardo Schneider
