La Locanda Restaurant

When he was just twelve years old, Pascualino Caputo began lending a helping hand in his parents' restaurant. Having immigrated to Canada after the Second World War, his parents, Benedetta and Giuseppe Caputo, decided it was time to turn their dream of opening a restaurant into a reality. While she had no formal training in the culinary arts, Benedetta did have plenty of experience in the kitchen and a collection of family recipes from Sicily she wanted to share.

In 1979, Via Roma opened its doors to the public, offering authentic Italian cuisine just like mama used to make in a classical Italian atmosphere that whisked diners away to Rome. "She wanted to create an authentic experience of Italy, true to her roots," says Pascualino, who's since become Via Roma's chef.

While he started out washing dishes and clearing tables, by the time Pascualino's 17th birthday rolled around, so did his interest in cooking. From then on, his days were spent in the kitchen, learning from the restaurant's chef, Bruno Zanello, who’d been running Via Roma’s kitchen since day one. Today, with nearly four decades of experience whipping up authentic Italian classics, Pascualino runs the restaurant, along with his sister, Giuseppina, who like her brother, entered into the family business when she was just twelve.