Rosa's Bella Cucina...on a roll

Have you ever happened to come across Rosa's Bella Cucina? Well, if you haven't, you'll be able to find it the at the most important events in the LA area. The Italian Deli on Wheels offers traditional Italian food to grab and eat wherever you want, and it's also available for special events on request. We had the pleasure to chat with the owner of Bella Cucina, Rosa Graziano, who told us something about herself as an Italian-American and as young entrepreneur.
What part of Italy are you and your family from?
The outskirts of Naples, Italy

Were you born there or in the US?
In 1970 my parents settled in Palisades Park (NJ) where I was born and raised

So what makes Rosa, like many other women and men born in the US, feel partly Italian?
To be an Italian-American is such an important part of my identity and my character! I feel that the traditions that I was raised with from the Old Country really has helped me become the woman I am today. My mother and father came to America to live the American dream. My father, Giovanni Graziano, brought the talents of construction and building while my mother, Angelina Graziano, a simple dress maker, shared her talent for cooking with the American people at our Italian Deli in NJ, DePalma Brothers. They came to the US with nothing but the simple talents of their Old Country traditions and have built two businesses from their creative Italian ways. Being able to now reflect on the success that America has brought to my parents for embracing their true authentic self has given me the opportunity to do the same with Rosa's Bella Cucina, an Italian Deli on Wheels! We are a family that lives out loud and embraces the culture in such an authentic way in everything we do.

Rosa came to Los Angles for an internship and decided to stay and complete her studies at Pepperdine University, where she got a Master's in Education. We asked Rosa why she didn't proceed with that career and moved instead to a completely different business.
I love kids and I love teaching, but something in my soul was not fulfilled. I really wanted to create something of my own. I remember thinking about the importance of preserving my culture.
I felt that it was somewhat of an obligation for me, a first generation Italian woman, to do my best to carry on the culture and traditions in which I was raised in. Being able to serve the community and share my Italian roots and heritage brings me such joy!

Tell us something about Rosa's Bella Cucina.
We book different locations every day and night. We have been on tv and movie sets, we have done weddings, bridal showers, family parties, festivals, etc. The elegance of Rosa's Bella Cucina really leaves people with a lasting impression and no mess. As of September 2011 we will also be serving not only the LA area but the OC area as well!

Locals are used to enjoying Italian food in the traditional restaurant setting. How did LA react to such a different way of dining?
Everyone loves Italian food, but the food truck is so much more than just food: it's an experience! I want people to feel as if they are a part of my family. We bring a feeling of Italian food, great passion, and fun spirit to the streets of LA.
Seems that you decided to start this activity right at the beginning of the economic crisis... Is the idea of a truck in some way related to the need of finding alternative solutions for this kind of business?
Since the idea of the truck comes from the "zeppole" stand at the San Gennaro feast, I was moved by the idea of having a roaming festival. I loved the idea of us arriving with our bright lights on, great Italian music playing, and the aroma of Italian food cooking. It's an instant feast at your door step which is very different from normal fine dining.

Rosa is also part of Comm-issione Giovani Los Angeles, a community that put together Italians, Italian-Americans, and everyone who loves Italian culture and lifestyle. What brought to you to join CG?
Coming from the NJ area, I felt very isolated as an Italian in the Los Angeles area. Being in this organization gave me the opportunity to surround myself with other fun-spirited, Italian individuals that were raised with the same traditions as I was. It's a fun, energetic, youthful, and exciting group that takes pride in our Italian culture.

Rosa's Bella Cucina is getting bigger and bigger. The Deli has also become a staple at the San Gennaro Feast in Hollywood with Rosa labeled as "the Zeppole girl." It has been able to provide LA and its surrounding areas with traditional southern Italian family cuisine. Are you thinking about changing or improving this activity if the demand keeps growing?
Right now, I'm working on building my business with the assistance of my brother, Alberico Graziano (Rico), to celebrate Italian food and culture in LA. I really am enjoying the birth of Rosa's Bella Cucina. Everyday is a different location, different crowd, and a different experience, which is all so exciting.
I am one to embrace the flow of life, and I know that this is really the start of something very big, which I hope will be the next featured article for "L'Italo-Americano" sometime in the near future!
Wanna catch Rosa's Bella Cucina next appearance? Follow it on www.rosasbellacucina.com or on http://twitter.com/ Rosa BellaCucina and http:// www. facebook.com/pages/Los-Angeles-CA/Rosas-Bella-Cucina/118543536866
For more information please contact Sara Scorcia - National Representative LOS ANGELES at GIOVANIinLA@gmail.com