The Beginning:
…1967, Sergio an Engineer from Rome meets Mary a nurse from Tuam in London. They marry in 1969 and have 4 kids- 2 red heads and 2 blondes. Paolo 1970, Sean 1972, Daniela 1974 and Marco 1976.
They live for a while in Italy up to 1973 before moving back to Ireland; in this time Mary learns Italian cuisine from Sergio’s Mother(nonna Sofia) and his Aunts(le Zie). She has a good basic knowledge before coming home and is armed with recipes and a cookbook.
Growing up Mary regularly serves up pasta to the kids and on Sundays friends come around and she tries some more venturous dishes- Piselli alla romana, polo al’cacciatore ..
1980’s… Each summer the family heads back to Italy by car, travelling through Europe and into Northern Italy. They stay in a youth hostel in Como, before heading to Rome, here they meet the owner Ty and his family. Ty is a magnificent cook, serving up dinner for the whole hostel every night at very affordable rates- this plants the seed for Mary and Sergio, and they head on with a recipe book hand written by Ty himself …
1989… Sergio is working as managing director of a Lens company in Connemara and Mary a nurse for the Western Health Board… A few long evenings of heavy contemplation and they decide to take the plunge.. May 13th Pasta Mista is opened on cross st. in Galway.. The restaurant is a big hit, known for authentic Italian food at a time when Lambrussco is the only Italian wine available to most.
2003… Sean and Marco have been living in San Francisco, Sean is working in Pharmaceuticals and Marco in the recording industry.
They decide to take over the Family business with a mind to starting a Fresh Pasta business. Later on that year the first pasta machine is purchased and the business kicks off. Paolo joins the business in 2009 after spending seven years in Mozambique and Lesotho working in project development, Daniela, their sister, now manages the restaurant…
Meet the family
Sean: Surf mad.. is plunged into the cold waters off the west cost of Ireland every odd weekend, An Irish Champion swimmer in his youth and very keen Triathlete…
…..When he’s a cook, Has his recipes and sticks to them well.. covers all angles, but is more of a cameo chef, rare enough to see him cook but makes it count when he does
Signature dish: Tortellini al Ragu
Marco: Loves Snowboarding even though he crippled himself doing it.. DJ by trade but play’s the drums now- and is on his third set of neighbours since he started..
…. When he’s a cook, Makes enough for an Army but much less makes it to the table. Will make up most recipes on the spot from nothing, the meat is always rare and leaves every available pot in the kitchen dirty..
Signature dish: Pappardelle al Cinghiale
Paolo: Family man, Loves mountain biking, Football and his kids. Is known in his neighbourhood for being able to balance all his kids and two bags from the local shop on his bike… cares for the environment.
……When he’s a cook, Takes his time in adding detail to the recipe and there’s always a story to Paolo’s dish’s… where he bought the ingredients, who showed him
Signature dish: Spaghetti ai Frutti di Mare