2013
Yano R. Caniglia Royal Boy and Mister C's
Paul J. Dougherty Dougherty Brokerage Co.
Nicole M. Jesse LaCasa Pizzaria
Robert P. Mancuso Mid-America Expositions Inc.
Anthony O. Messineo, Jr. Valentino's Pizza
Premier Catering and Amazing Pizza Machiene
Jeff Snow Catering Creations
Yano R. Caniglia
Royal Boy and Mister C's
Yano, more widely know as Mister C, was born to Italian immigrants. Raised in Omaha, Mister C brought many "firsts" in dining to the area. With only a high school education, Mister C and his wife, Mary, built a restaurant legacy from nothing more than Depression-era style hard work and sacrifice.
He was co-owner of Caniglia's Pizzeria in the mid-40s and then opened the Royal Boy drive-in in 1953, turning it into Mister C's full-service restaurant in 1969. In 1988, he was cited by the Nation's Restaurant News as owning one of the leading independent restaurants with annual sales in the $6 -7 million bracket. That year, he also opened Piazza di Maria, an Italian-style outdoor garden, and formed Mister C's Wholesale Food Division. Over his long career, he has owned multiple businesses, received numerous awards and remained active in the business community
Paul J. Dougherty
Dougherty Brokerage Co.
Born on a farm in Dixon County, Neb., Paul spent most of his life in Omaha. After serving in the Korean War, Paul began his career with Ocoma Foods in 1954, first as a poultry processor, then branch manager, retail division manager and sales manager.
In 1968, he founded Dougherty Brokerage Co., the first food service only brokerage company in Nebraska, and was proud to have Ocoma Foods (acquired later by Tyson) as a client. During his leadership, the company grew into one of the leading sales agencies in the Midwest and was nationally recognized. Paul received National Broker of the Year recognition awards from Tyson, Pillsbury, Simplot, Fish King, Hillshire, Quaker, Ventura and others.
In 2012, DBC became part of Advantage Waypoint, a national sales and marketing agency still owned by four of his sons.
Nicole M. Jesse
LaCasa Pizzaria
Nicole started working at the age of 14 and has worked for LaCasa Pizzaria from 1976 to today. She started managing in 1981 and became co-owner with her brother Joel and cousin Anthony Vacanti in 1985. LaCasa celebrated 60 years in business this year and has received numerous awards, including founder (their grandfather) Joe Patane's induction into the ORA Hall of Fame.
They also received the Blue Enterprise Award in 2000, the Omaha Chamber's Golden Spike Award in 2003, multiple Best of Omaha awards, Reader's Choice awards and recognition from "Pizza Today" as a top 100 Independent.
Robert P. Mancuso
Mid-America Expositions Inc.
Born and raised in Omaha, Robert founded Mid-America Expositions Inc. in 1964 and has played an instrumental role in the development of sporting events, agricultural expositions and the food industry for almost 50 years.
He brought together people and businesses at some of the finest presentations in the U.S. – many of which have become the largest events in the Midwest, including the Taste of Omaha – plus business and industrial shows, home and garden shows and agricultural expositions.
Robert contributed many hours to the community, serving as chairman and member on several boards and committees, and has been the longest serving member in history (20+ years) on the City of Omaha Planning Board and the Douglas County Visitors Promotion Council.
Anthony O. Messineo, Jr.
Valentino's Pizza
Premier Catering and Amazing Pizza Machiene
Born and raised in Lincoln, Anthony started his restaurant career at Tony & Luigi's in 1959 as a host. In 1965, he received his bachelor's in business from UNL.
After managing Kings Food Host and Tony & Luigi's, he purchased Valentino's Pizza in 1972 and created concepts for Piece of the Pie and Tequila Junction. He purchased Premier Catering in 1999, and in 2006 he became the managing partner of Amazing Pizza Machine.
In addition to winning several awards, including Restaurateur of the Year in 1990 and 2011, his Valentino's restaurant contributes to several children's charities. He has served on numerous boards, including the Nebraska Restaurant Association Board.
Jeff Snow
Catering Creations
Chef Jeff began cooking at such an early age he can't remember a time he wasn't in the kitchen or studying culinary arts. Graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., he benefited from opportunities to work and learn at many New York catering companies and restaurants. His experience brought him to the kitchens of the Peabody Hotel, Orlando, Fla., Sarducci's Restaurant, Dallas, and the French Café in Omaha. He also worked as Rosenblatt Stadium's stand manager.
In 2002, he opened Catering Creations, a three-time Best of Omaha winner, and was a finalist in the International Catersource "ACE" Award for Achievement in Catering Excellence for the Midwest Division. Chef Jeff teaches as an ad-hoc culinary professor at the Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metropolitan Community College and has served as an advisory board member.