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Gourmet Italia

Non-GMO Project Verified USDA Organic Commissary
Gourmet Italia

“ Lake Garda in front of me and my life was changed forever „

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About us

After almost a twenty year experience of arranging cooking courses for Americans, mostly military, based on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, I realized that there was a real interest in the benefits of the products of the Mediterranean diet. Therefore, in 1994 I founded Gourmet Italia, Inc. with the purpose of introducing the finest Italian food products to the American commissaries in Europe.
Over the years, I added other products: organic extra virgin olive oil from Garda Lake, organic tomato sauce from southern Italy, sea salt and other Italian specialties. Gourmet Italia selects only the finest: preferably organic foods produced by Italian family owned enterprises, who avoid artificial, chemical additives. The result gives the customers the pleasure of enjoying the authentic quality produced by Italian sun, soil and toil. From 1997 to 2010 Gourmet Italia Pasta Cafés served an average on 450 meals a day in seven American military bases located in Ramstein,Weisbaden, Wiesbaden, Vogelweh, Mannheim, Heildelberg, Patch and Lakenheath (UK). In 2012 Gourmet Italia expanded US-wide, including Alaska and Hawaii, being present in over 80 commissaries. A book and film story… actually true.
A meeting of the minds between two people born almost fifty years apart in two villages next to each other in the Valley of the Lakes (Trentino-Italy). Erica Chemolli, a young psychologist, sommelier and restauranteur, meets Larry E. Pisoni in her restaurant. Erica's fresh, enthusing energy with an entrepreneurial mind meets a mature, idealistic visionary, whose mission in life is to create a food revolution in America through the military. Larry & Erica consider themselves missionaries more than business people. The essence of our vision is to introduce only healthy, tasty, earth-friendly food produced by Italian, family operated factories, that have a tradition and passion for genuine quality.

Larry E. Pisoni

Lerry E. Pisoni

I was born in Trentino, Italy in 1937 when Benito Mussolini was in power. Two years later World War II broke out and Italy found itself under Nazi occupation. In February, 1945 when the war was near an end, an event occurred that would determine the course of my life.

I was seven years old when one day in late February I saw a formation of American bombers soaring over our village. The sky was full of planes, fire, smoke and explosions from the heavy German flak on the ground. One of the planes was hit and I vividly remember seeing the airmen bailing out of it just before it crashed into a mountain...

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Erica Chemolli

Erica Chemolli

I, Erica Chemolli, was born at Riva Del Garda, Trentino Italy in 1984. At age twenty I started working as a waitress at a first class restaurant on Lake Garda. Then I became the manager, a sommelier and co-owner. However, I had higher ambitions, so I hired more help that allowed me to find the time to study and graduate in psychology at the University of Trento. I believe that the combination of energy and determination intertwined with creativity and will power is the secret of success. The fascinating experience in the restaurant, where one meets and interacts with interesting people, changed my life. It was through this unique experience that I realized my calling: Food and Wine!

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