When I moved to San Francisco, it was difficult to find high quality Italian food products in the United States. I knew the taste of genuine Italian foods and wanted Americans to have the same wonderful flavors of Italy. In 1988, I founded Manicaretti (the Italian word for little delicacies or treats) to bring products from Italy's finest regional artisan producers to this country.
The regional products were found through family, friends and word of mouth. Whether cooking with a family on their farm or helping friends with the work in their small factory, I felt as if I was rediscovering these little gems and helping to keep centuries-old traditions alive.
When I think of Italy, I think of fantastic meals at my grandmother's dinner table where the food and wine created a sense of sharing at the table. Over the past years, we have selected an array of basic pantry products that can help you prepare a truly Italian meal. Manicaretti products let people travel into Italian culture and history by enjoying traditional artisan foods.