Cult Following For Pasta And Community with Leo Baldassarre
The Bread Spread
English - April 28, 2021 18:49 - 1 hour - 70.5 MB - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingPlaces & Travel Society & Culture Arts Food culture society food localorganizations placestravel toronto Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Recorded April 19, 2021 - Leo Baldassarre of Famiglia Baldassarre learned early that generosity is key to doing business, in addition to being an active part of the community. He shares stories that are sure to inspire and make you love pasta too!
Famiglia Baldassarre is located in a hole in the wall on industrial Geary Avenue. The unassuming storefront is surrounded by a variety of artisan businesses, located just north of the train tracks.
Not only does Leo make one of the best pastas in the city, he also has a very interesting story. He started making pasta while living in his mothers basement. All he had was a table, a sink and a fridge. “That’s all you need to start a business,” he says. Initially selling to friends, he quickly knew he was onto something and soon after began selling pasta to Toronto’s top Italian restaurants.
Smell memory - When trying to mimic his Nonna’s sauce, he got very close to the taste that he remembered but there was something missing. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was. When a friend lit a cigarette in the neighbouring room the combination of the sauce and cigarette smoke took him back in time to his Nonna’s kitchen. That was the missing piece.
Covid was and still is a challenging time for him both personally and business wise. He feels that he has been in battle mode during the past year. With the restaurant industry being hit hard, Famiglia Baldassarre lost all of their wholesale business during the first week of Covid. It has forced him to stay present while navigating the uncertainty.
Famiglia Baldassarre is known for their lunch line-ups. But don’t be fooled; Leo explains, only one person is allowed into the store at one time (for the moment). The customer is never rushed and gets the full experience. All that a line-up means now, is what is necessary for businesses to survive. It means that they are doing just ok.
Leo’s advice for those entering a business or in the business, is invaluable. He learned early that generosity is key to doing business, in addition to being an active part of the community. He shares stories that are sure to inspire!