FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2006
Grandson Turns His Papa’s Passion
Into a Successful Food Business
Grandpa’s authentic Italian peasant food turns snack
food into real food.
Most everyone has a fabulous recipe handed
down from their grandparents. But Chicagoan Danny Lena and
his wife Marie have turned an Old World Calabrian tradition
into a taste sensation that is changing snack food into healthy
food. Danny and Marie Lena, owners of at Papa Lena’s
Healthy Foods at 1438 W. Chicago Ave. have created a new
taste sensation making big waves in Chicago and nationwide.
THE LENAS’ STORY
Two years ago, while sitting on their West Town, Wood St.
front deck, Danny & Marie Lena, at 50 years old, realized
they needed to make a career change. With no background
in the food business, these two gourmet cooks and former
motivational speakers took advice from their own empowerment
books and turned a dream into a reality.
Today they make their unique gourmet veggie
chips and authentic Italian foods for Chicagoans from Libertyville
to Hyde Park. Their healthy products are based on recipe’s
from the Lenas’ grandparents in Sicily and Calabria,
Italy. Every fall after Danny turned 10, he helped his grandfather
(Papa) transform vegetables from the garden into tasty chips,
while Marie made Sicilian pizzas and sweets. For years, the
Lena’s prepared these “peasant” recipes
for family and friends who constantly encouraged them to “open
a food business”. Risky, yes, but the Lena’s
believed in their product and forged ahead to make “Papa’s” crispy
veggies a legacy. In fact, these chips are so unique, they
have a patent on them!
Starting Papa Lena’s healthy gourmet
was a perfect marriage of Danny and Marie’s interests
and talents: their passion for healthy foods and the importance
of family tradition. Fortunately, Chicagoans have been equally
as passionate about Papa Lena’s products. In addition
to selling in gourmet stores such as Sunset Foods, Foodstuffs,
Sam’s Wine, Binny’s, and Hyde Park Produce, health
clubs such as the East Bank Club and Lincoln Park Athletic
Club carry Papa Lena’s lowfat breads, cakes, beet chips,
sweet potato chips, red bell pepper chips and creamy dips.
They ship internet orders nationwide, but the most lucky
buyers are those who go directly to Papa Lena’s retail
shop at 1438 W. Chicago Ave. to sample all their homemade
goodies.
The Lena’s veggie chips were chosen
as a “Favorite Food of 2005” by the Chicago Tribune,
called a “Top New Food” at the 2006 Fancy Food
Show, and received rave reviews by ABC’s Hungry Hound. ”Papa” would
be proud.
High-end, cutting-edge caterers and restaurants
around the city, including Avec and Blackbird, use Papa Lena’s
veggie chips in party trays or as a flavorful garnish and
as recipe ingredients.
The Lena’s energy, enthusiasm, and
desire to help others create a successful business from an
idea will make an informative and fun interview.
For additional information, samples, or
interview, please contact Danny Lena at (312) 455-8100 or email Danny at papalena@sbcglobal.net You
may also visit http://www.papalena.com
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