Posted March 7, 200619 yr This afternoon we received a rather odd request in the Preservation Ohio office, and thought that I would pass it along for your input. Apparently the Food Network is doing a special on "Chef Boyardee," who apparently began his culinary career somewhere in Cleveland. A quick Wikipedia search says that Hector Bioardi opened his first restaurant, named Il Giardino d'Italia, in the 1940s. The network (through Al Roker Productions) is looking for archival footage, if possible, as well as the possibility that there are Clevelanders that remember Chef Bioardi or the restaurant. Knowing that this board has a great number of Clevelanders amongst its members, I thought I would send this out for any ideas. Thank!!! Thomas/presOhio
March 7, 200619 yr Chef Hector Boiardi started his career in the Hotel Winton on Prospect Avenue. It's now the Carter Manor Hotel: It's currently under renovation by DAS Construction, working on behalf of the Ferchill Group: http://www.dasconstruction.com/projectsunder/cma.htm http://www.ferchillgroup.com/news/?nid=10 The building was previously owned by Harvey Oppmann - the man who used to own the Old Arcade. And NO, I'm not old enough to remember Chef Boiardi or the restaurant, thankyouverymuch! clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
March 8, 200619 yr they might get some help by talking with the folks at the ny spaghetti house downtown on e9th by the jake. i believe i once read there were some ties between the families, not sure tho. yay for al roker coming back to town for a work visit!: http://www.nyspaghettihouse.com/about_us.html
March 9, 200619 yr There was a show on WVIZ I saw around the holidays, although it was much older (maybe called "Cleveland Memories"?) That show had a segment about the chef and his Cleveland history. Here's a link to the WVIZ site: http://www.wviz.org/features/1212ourtown.asp Presumably they can get you a copy.
Create an account or sign in to comment