HISTORY

For seven decades, Giovanni's has played an important role in the development of specialty food products. In
1929, Giovanni Ricossa, an Italian immigrant, strarted his culinary career as an assistant to a group of French
chefs at Detroit's famous Cadillac Hotel. Giovanni soon learned their
Culinary secrets and perfected the art of pâté preparation. It was also
at the Cadillac that Giovanni first prepared his antipasto which he
remembered from his childhood days in northwestern Italy. This antipasto
became so popular with the hotel guests that Giovanni was urged by a
friend to package his delicious product.

In 1935, Giovanni and his wife Elvira purchased production equipment
                                                and set up headquarters for his
                                                fledgling business in a rented garage
                                                in Detroit.   In 1944, Giovanni's
                                                antipasto was declared by the U.S.
                                                government to be "unessential to the
                                                war effort" and they were not permitted
                                                to buy glass or cans. In efforts to
                                                survive the restrictions of the war
                                                years, Giovanni developed his now
                                                world-famous pâté. The inaugural
                                                pâté was of the chicken liver variety and has proven to be one of the
                                                 company's best sellers.

                                                In 1949, Giovanni's Appetizing Food Products relocated to Richmond, MI -
                                                 its home ever since. The company sells throughout the United States and
                                                 exports to Canada, Asia, Europe, Central America, South America, Puerto
                                                 Rico, and Australia. Many of the ingredients used in Giovanni's products
                                                 come from all over the world.

Giovanni's son Philip Ricossa, and grandsons Giovanni and Philip Jr. continue to run the privately owned family
business that was started by him over 70 years ago.