Michael Piazza’s grandfather emigrated to American from Sicily. He started out selling fruits and vegetables on Woodland Avenue from a horse drawn wagon and grew it into one of the city’s largest food distribution company’s. His sons took over the business. These three entrepreneurs are Michael’s role models and they inspired him to start his own business.

“I always thought I’d just go into the family business,” says the 35 year old, “and I did for awhile after graduating from college. Then I decided to become a chef and I did that for 10 years, working in other people’s restaurants but I kept thinking about starting something of my own. I wanted to put my name on a line of great food products. And now I’m the proud “father” of a line of rustic style Italian sauces.”

To develop his product lines, Piazza made up countless small batches in his home kitchen. Then he enlisted his fiancée, family and friends as taste testing guinea pigs. “I’d find something I liked, solicit other people’s opinions, and then tweak my recipes again based on their comments.”

Piazza doesn’t want his sauces to be used only on pasta. His versatile tomato based creations are meant to be used toppings for omeletes and bruschetta, for dipping like salsa, on meats and poultry, and to flavor soups.

“I’ve got the necessary kitchen knowledge, an entrepreneurial mentality, and my heart’s in every jar,” says Piazza. Sounds like he’s got all the ingredients he needs for success.