Page 8 - Casa Italia Gala 2024 Ad Book

CASA ITALIA MAN OF THE YEAR
Angelo Lollino was born and raised in the specialty food business, roasting amazing coffee, award-winning gelato and great Italian food. The son of Giuseppe and Pina (Bruno) Lollino, Angelo grew up in Chicago in an Italian family that owned and operated Ristorante Italia and Caffe Italia for nearly 50 years. Angelo’s father was a master coffee roaster and one of the first to introduce espresso in the U.S.
through his wholesale coffee company and cafes that also served house-made artisan gelato and sorbetto.
As a teenager, Angelo began mastering the ins and outs of managing his family’s restaurant, learning the intricacies of roasting fresh coffee and fostering a love for the art of making gelato. To perfect his gelato-making craft, he attended multiple training courses in Italy.
In the 1990s, Angelo began leading new business ventures. He and his brother Guy founded Fratelli Lollino Inc., a specialty coffee roasting company that later became Fratelli Coffee Company. Angelo and his wife, Giovanna, opened Massa Cafe Italiano in 1999, which features popular menu items that have been highlighted by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago magazine and the Food Network channel, to name a few. Massa has been a staple in Elmwood Park, celebrating 25 years this year.
In 2008, Angelo partnered with the President and CEO of Roundy’s Supermarkets, Robert Mariano, to create the Vero Coffee & Gelato brand. The two have made their mark across the greater Chicago area, opening more than 40 Vero Coffee & Gelato locations inside of all the Mariano’s grocery stores.
In addition, Angelo founded Alamode Foods Inc., a food
service manufacturer of gelato, sorbetto, specialty coffee roasting and other fine specialty foods. Alamode services some of the most well-known Chicago restaurants, including Gibsons, Bar Siena, Gene & Georgetti, Rosebud and Nutella Cafe, and has partnered with established distributors nationwide, including Greco & Sons,