FRANK PELLEGRINO - OWNER OF RAO'S IN NYC
Rao's is a Southern Italian restaurant founded in 1896 and located at 455 East 114th Street (at Pleasant Avenue) in East Harlem, New York City, with a sister restaurant in Las Vegas, NV.
The restaurant was started in 1896 by Charles Rao, who moved with his parents from Italy to the United States. He bought a small shop in Italian Harlem, once a very large Italian-American community, and ran the restaurant until his death in 1909. Louis Rao took over the business. He was seen by many as a very suave man. He had his hair cut at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, and wore many fancy suits. Current co-owner Frank Pellegrino describes those days as "the days of big Cadillacs and usually convertibles." He was much more conservative in behavior and looks and refined the menu into a more simple Italian menu, with the help of "Aunt Jake." After Vincent Rao's death in 1999, it was taken over by Frank Pellegrino, Anna Pellegrino Rao's nephew, and Ronald Straci, another close relative. Anna Pellegrino-Rao refined the menu even more with the help of Vincent and she is the source of the menu's identity today. On December 6, 2006, Rao's opened a second restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada, under executive chef Carla Pellegrino, with two ten-table rooms and additional seating available on an outdoor garden patio. In early 2009, Rao's in Las Vegas opened a bocce bar outside and began offering bocce lessons and cocktails there. Rao's now sells products in gourmet markets and supermarkets. Products include pasta products and sauce as well as olive oil
CHEF CLAUD BELTRAN - NOIR FOOD & WINE
The Grand Tasting will be held on February 9 from 1pm to 4:30pm at the Altadena Town and Country Club. Guests will have an opportunity to taste over 200 wines from the best pinot noir producing regions in the world, including California, France, New Zealand and Oregon. There will also be a VIP Tasting Package available that will allow those guests early access to the event, a private lounge and a buffet lunch. The cost to attend the Grand Tasting is $89.00 for General Admission. VIP Tickets can be purchased for $119.00 each. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services. Passion, commitment to excellence, integrity, humor and a sense of adventure - these words begin to sum up Chef Claud Beltran. An exotic mix of Mexican and Lebanese heritage, Chef Beltran was exposed to various ethnic foods at an early age. After being mentored by Master Chef Thomas Keller, Chef Beltran set out to make his own name. For over a quarter century Claud Beltran has established himself as one of Los Angeles preeminent chefs. With his accomplished staff he creates culinary delights and fantastic designs that please all the senses. His experinence with multiple venues makes your event experience seemless and his excuiste palate for food and wine makes your meal one to top all others.
