Get Adobe Flash player

Italian

Seviroli Foods Partners With Mill Point to Expand Growth

Seviroli Foods, Inc., manufacturer of frozen pasta and other food products, and Vertullo Imports LLC, a specialty food importer, have partnered with Mill Point Capital LLC, a middle-market private equity firm focused on control-oriented investments in the business services, industrials and technology sectors in North America.

eviroli has been family owned and operated since its founding in 1960 and provides a leading line of chef-inspired artisan-filled pastas, sauces and Italian desserts. Joseph Seviroli Jr., CEO and second-generation owner of Seviroli, will continue in his role alongside President and COO Paul Vertullo and other key members of the management team.

“We are excited to continue building upon my family’s proud 62-year operating history alongside Mill Point,” Seviroli said. “Seviroli’s track record of growth, innovation and quality customer service are expected to be significantly enhanced through our partnership.”

“The partnership and combination of resources with Mill Point accelerates our ability to continue Seviroli’s and Vertullo’s long-term growth trajectory and execute strategic initiatives,” Vertullo said.

“We have been thoroughly impressed by the strong operating foundation and culture Joe, Paul and the rest of the Seviroli team have created. I am confident that with their expertise and Mill Point’s insight, the company will further elevate its product ideation, customer relationships and operational excellence,” said Jim Schubauer, Mill Point’s executive partner and executive vice chairman of Seviroli.

“Throughout its history, Seviroli has continually distinguished itself as a leader in its sector. We are committed to maintaining the core values that the Seviroli family and team have created and look forward to pursuing numerous growth avenues ahead,” said Dustin Smith, partner of Mill Point.

Seviroli manufactures products for the foodservice, club and grocery/retail channels, offering a variety of items including ravioli, tortellini, stuffed shells, manicotti, short cut pastas and other products. Seviroli operates out of three manufacturing facilities in the New York Metro area with the capability to serve customers nationally.

Vertullo imports over 150 items from 19 countries including pasta, rice, sauces, oils, truffles, and other fresh and frozen goods. Vertullo supplies products to Seviroli as well as third-party foodservice, retail and e-commerce trade customers.

Mill Point Capital LLC is a private equity firm focused on control investments in lower-middle market companies across the business services, technology and industrials sectors in North America. Mill Point’s experienced team of investors and Executive Partners seek portfolio company value enhancement through rigorous implementation of transformative strategic initiatives and operational improvements. Mill Point is based in New York, N.Y.

For news of interest to the food and beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Chef Unveils Colicchio Collection Premium Sauces

The Colicchio Collection, featuring a line of ultra-premium cooking and pairing sauces crafted by chef and restaurateur Tom Colicchio in partnership with The Jersey Tomato Co. and KEEN Growth Capital, has debuted for purchase online.

Colicchio looked to Italy’s most beloved culinary regions for inspiration in crafting the six sauces, all made with 100 percent vine-ripened New Jersey tomatoes, which are prized for their sumptuous flavor and delicate balance of sweetness and acidity. Each sauce in the Colicchio Collection is made with ingredients unique to its region of Italy and is intended to complement a range of dishes, including six recipes developed by Colicchio to highlight the sauces’ distinct flavor profiles, from clams with pancetta and mustard greens to eggplant shakshuka.

“I wanted to capture the exciting variety of cuisines throughout Italy in a collection that home cooks could use to elevate and enhance their everyday cooking,” Colicchio said. “The inherent brightness and balance of these sauces allows the regional ingredients to shine through, taking stews, braised and grilled meats, seafood, even pizza to another level of flavor and vibrancy.”

Colicchio first joined The Jersey Tomato Co. in 2020 as an equity partner, brand ambassador and culinary consultant driving innovation. The Colicchio Collection marks the New Jersey native’s first original offering in partnership with the brand.

“It’s been a joy to collaborate with chef Colicchio on The Jersey Tomato Co., and we’re thrilled to introduce consumers to his first original, ultrai-premium line,” says Mike Hagan, CEO of KEEN Growth Capital’s Emerging Brands Portfolio. “It’s an exciting chapter of what we hope becomes a cornerstone of the home kitchen.”

As with all The Jersey Tomato Co. sauces, the Colicchio Collection is lower in sodium, gluten-free, non-GMO and Kosher, and has no added sugars or artificial preservatives. The six sauce flavors include:

  • Ligurialemon, white wine, provençal herbs
  • Trentino: wild mushroom, parmesan, rosemary
  • Sicilia: orange, black olive, white wine
  • Piemonte: barolo wine, sage
  • Abruzzo: saffron, fennel pollen
  • Calabriaeggplant, zucchini, and chilis

The Colicchio Collection is available as a Club Colicchio subscription with exclusive member benefits and as a one-time purchase of $45 for a set of three 16-ounce jars.

For more updates on the gourmet food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Zeppole Mix Company Sponsors Italian-American Comedian

Mike MarinoZeppole, LLC is sponsoring popular Italian-American comedian Mike Marino.

Marino directs his comedy towards all types of people, particularly Italian-Americans,” said CEO Joseph Camerieri, creator of Zeppole Mix. “But more importantly, he is an Italian-American and so passionate and emotionally excited about the product, hence I could not be happier with our sponsorship of Mike Marino.

“He fits our ideal demographic. We love his comedy tour ‘Make American Italian Again‘ and his podcast ‘Live from My Mother’s Basement‘ with past guests like Beverly Hills 90210 star Ian Ziering and actor Joe Montagna from ‘Criminal Minds’, Sean Kanan ‘Karate Kid Part 3’.”

Although the Zeppole mix has been around for a long time, few people are aware of the back story that led to its inspiration. There was a famous Manhattan Italian Feast of San Gennaro, a booth, a real Italian married couple, and now the company announces they will be sponsoring a well-known spokesman and comedian.

Joseph’s mother, Gaetana “Chickie” Camerieri, was born and grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. While growing up, she often celebrated the Feast of San Gennaro. In 1976, Mother Gaetana moved to Florida along with her husband and three children. Years later, as a member of a newly formed Italian women’s group, she pitched the idea of an Italian Feast of San Gennaro to be showcased in Safety Harbor. Fla. The festival soon grew to 15,000 attendees for a three-day weekend event.

Over the years, this recipe was the reason why over 500,000 Zeppole were sold at numerous Italian festivals. As time went on, Joseph Camerieri  decided to develop a formula for turning their popular recipe in to a dry mix that could be sold to make at home. Also, the mix could easily be done at home into the tasty treat offered at the festival.

“We couldn’t believe how our Zeppole became such a hit with the festival goers, every year,” Camerieri said. “We hope this unique delicious mix turns out to be somehow a tribute to mom and dad.”

For updates on the specialty food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.