The life lessons, wisdom, and joy I learned from my mentor and guide, Grandpa Nic

“Give her something to eat” (Mark 5:43). These words of Jesus after healing Jairus’ daughter always impressed me concerning how practical our Lord was.

These words were also the essence of my grandfather, my mentor and spiritual guide Nicolangelo Iammarino, who took his family from Southern Italy — Campobasso, in the province of Molise — to America in the 1940s. He chose America and, like countless others, traveled through Ellis Island to Cleveland, where thousands of his Molise paisanos came to work in the steel mills and foundries. In his youth in Italy, however, his passion was in the kitchen, and he quickly recognized that “giving them something to eat” would be his true meal ticket to a new life for his wife and five children.

So it was that the Iammarino Catering Company was born in the early 1950s in the shadow of Holy Rosary Church. The world famous “Little Italy” icon served a nearly 100 percent Italian immigrant base for many years, although during the past 30 years there have been few “vowel ending” names in this upscale trendy neighborhood. Instead, the majority of parishioners are from the surrounding Case Western Reserve University and the renowned Cleveland Clinic.

It was in the heart of this historic area that I was born and raised. At 10, I was following my grandfather and my mother, Mary, his eldest daughter, to weddings, anniversaries, bar mitzvahs, and other special occasions to watch him prepare and serve his famous homemade pasta, meat dishes, sauces, and exquisite desserts to hundreds.

Cleveland was populated by Europeans, and this iconic neighborhood became the melting pot for all to enjoy amazing dishes of renowned restaurants named Guarino’s, Roman Gardens, Golden Bowl, Mama Santa, Minnillo’s, and our own family-based Theresa’s (Iammarino). It was here and at Iammarino Catering where I cut my teeth in the fabulous restaurant industry: dishwasher, bus boy, pizza flipper, cook. I was a Catholic high school kid living his dream!

At the feet of my Grandpa Nic, I learned that being Italian is not the blood in your veins, but the spirit in your heart. I was amazed at the adulation he would get from people so happy and so satisfied!

I have been CEO of three major restaurant companies, founded another, and with my two sons brought Raising Cane’s out west in our own restaurant company 15 years ago. It all began because of Grandpa Nic. He had a sense back then that delivering a great food product not only filled a hunger, but also brought real joy.

In the early 2000s, I headed the Educational Foundation for the National Restaurant Association. It was wonderful speaking to colleges and business organizations throughout America. On most occasions my PowerPoint opened with DaVinci’s Last Supper. My opening line was simple: Jesus knew how to get people’s attention and make his point — at a good meal! Nic Iammarino understood this. Food must be embraced and loved to be truly good!

In honor of Nic, I chose a tantalizing dish we served at every Italian restaurant I was involved with, chicken saltimbocca. By the way, the meaning of “saltimbocca” says it all: “sapore ti salta in bocca” (“flavors that jump in your mouth”)! Mangia!

JOE MICATROTTO SR., K.C.H.S., has been a founder and CEO in the restaurant industry for more than 45 years, including among his credits Bucca di Beppo, Panda Express, and MRG Marketing & Management, Inc. (Micatrotto Restaurant Group). He and his wife, Connie, are members of the Las Vegas Chapter.