CARMELO HOSTED A CHARITY DINNER NOVEMBER 7 AT HIS BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL-AREA HOME TO BENEFIT BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV
Carmelo Mauro and Mark Cox, owner and chef of Mark’s Restaurant, welcomed six couples to the dinner purchased earlier this year at a gala benefiting the university. Arline and Ben Guefen invited their family and friends to share the splendid meal. The dinner was prepared by Cox and included short ribs and snapper plus two desserts. One of those desserts was Carmelo’s special Bananas Foster. Mauro also supplied the wine for the event. This is the second such dinner provided by Mauro and Cox to benefit Ben-Gurion University. Each was purchased at the live auction at the gala event for $6,400. In addition to the Guefens, also attending the dinner were Sandy and Steve Breslauer, Susan and Adam Finn, Ilana and Jordan Finn, Ruth and Mark Mamon and Tracy and Steve Schwartz. Mauro often welcomes guests into his home for charitable causes. At the Greater Houston Restaurant Association Gala November 6, a dinner with Mauro was auctioned for $12,000. All proceeds went to the Texas Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation.
CARMELO'S HOSTED VINTNER DINNER WITH DANIEL A. COHN OF B.R. COHN
Carmelo hosted a special vintner dinner with Daniel A. Cohn, Eastern Sales Manager of B.R. Cohn in Glen Ellen, California on October 30th. Founded by Bruce Cohn in 1984, B.R. Cohn Winery is located in the heart of Sonoma Valley where soils warmed by underground natural hot springs and gentle ocean breezes create a unique microclimate resulting in ideal growing conditions for award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This family operated winery has been producing wine for over 20 years and is renowned for its balanced and elegant wines that maintain an unusually consistent standard of excellence from year to year.
CARMELO'S HOSTED MEMORABLE VINTNER DINNER WITH CRISTINA MARIANI-MAY OF CASTELLO BANFI
Wine aficionados who appreciate the Renaissance of Brunello and Super Tuscan wines thrilled to the words of Castello Banfi family proprietor, Cristina Mariani-May on June 22nd when she welcomed them to Carmelo's for an extraordinary Vintner Dinner featuring the wines of Castello Banfi, Italy's most honored vineyard estate.
Guests learned about some of the finest wines in the world, how they're grown and delicately designed...paired with perfect food choices! Ms. Mariani-May travels to wine venues across Europe, Asia and North America to represent her family's estate and divides the rest of her time between the Medieval Castello Banfi in Montalcino and their Long Island, New York offices.
Although two decades is a relatively short time in the tradition-bound winemaking region of Tuscany, Castello Banfi has arrived in a big way. Italy, long recognized as the world's leading wine-producing nation, has declared for the past 11 years that the American-owned winery produces its finest offerings – products that appeal to modern consumer tastes while continuing to satisfy the lofty demands of the connoisseur. Today, these wines flow from their Tuscan cellars to 50 countries around the world.
"Dear Carmelo,
I wish to thank you for the finest, most fun and most memorable wine dinner I have ever attended. It was truly a spectacular evening and you prove to be a dear friend of the Mariani's and Banfi. Keep smiling and enjoying life. You are an inspiration to me!
I hope to see you again soon and in the meantime I send my deepest gratitude and appreciation of your spirit!
Warmest regards,
Cristina"
CARMELO'S HOSTED AN EVENING WITH MORGAN FAIRCHILD BENEFITING INTERFAITH CAREPARTNERS
Star of television, stage and film Morgan Fairchild joined Carmelo Mauro on September 6, 2003 in hosting a dinner benefiting Interfaith CarePartners of Houston. Since 1986, volunteers have given more than one million hours of service to frail seniors and others at home with a disability or terminal condition. Through a network of more than 1,600 volunteers organized as a Care Team, based in 81 congregations, Interfaith CarePartners provides hope, companionship, comfort and practical support as Houston's caregiver.
Morgan Fairchild is a superb performer with a big heart and a sharp intellect. A native of Dallas who began performing at age 10, Morgan's work on behalf of others is as impressive as her acting career. She is a dedicated supporter of AIDS research, women's causes, environmental issues and other social and humanitarian needs, including the Care Team program of Interfaith CarePartners for which she appeared in 1998 and 2000.
CARMELO'S JUAN GOMEZ SELECTED AS GREATER HOUSTON RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION'S RESTAURANT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Juan Gomez was selected Houston's Manager of the Year according to an announcement by Sonja Partin, Chairman of the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation, who says "Juan has set high standards for others to follow. I applaud all his hard work and effort."
Juan was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, in a family of 7 boys and one girl. In 1979, at the age of 16, he moved to Chicago to live with a brother. While visiting in Houston, he decided to stay and found work at a Mexican restaurant for eight months. In 1981, he went to work at Carmelo's as a bus boy and he has been there ever since graduating from back waiter to front waiter, to floor manager and eventually, in 1997, to manager.
Juan loves wines and is responsible the extensive wine cellar at Carmelo's. This involves purchasing, inventory and, of course, tasting. He enjoys decanting wines, putting out the silver plates and VIP glasses. He has an amazing talent and keen eye for decorating - demonstrated by the beautiful presentations he makes of display tables. But Juan has made a point of learning all facets of the business including running the register, tending the bar, booking a rehearsal dinner or training the staff.
He is also in charge of all outside catering. As a result, Juan donates hundreds of hours every year contributing food to Houston charities, schools and non-profits. From an Interfaith Care Partner fundraiser to a Katy School District Golf Tournament to an Italian Chamber of Commerce Polo Tournament, Juan works with the coordinators, sets up the food booths, serves many thousands of people and breaks the booth down in the late evening hours. Meeting more people and learning more about the restaurant business is his very favorite part of the job.
CARMELO MAURO OF CARMELO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT NAMED HOUSTON OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR
The Greater Houston Restaurant Association (GHRA), a chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), recently named Carmelo Mauro 2002-2003 Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year.
Mauro is one of thirteen outstanding restaurateurs selected throughout the state of Texas. Candidates were nominated by their local chapter based on their contributions to the restaurant industry, to the Association and to their local community.
Mauro started Carmelo's Italian Restaurant as a way of bringing true Italian cuisine to Texas. A native Sicilian, Mauro has made his mark in the restaurant industry by working in restaurants and hotels around the world. With two highly successful restaurants in Houston and Austin, Carmelo is winning over Texans with food that is true to tradition.
Carmelo served as the 2001-2002 GHRA president and has been honored with numerous awards, including the National Restaurant Association's Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year Award for spearheading the launch of Entrepreneur 101, a student-run restaurant inside Austin's Del Valle High School. He is known for his contagious energy and involvement with the TRA Education Foundation and is currently serving as 2003-2004 TRA Vice President.
"Carmelo is more than an outstanding restaurateur, he is a wonderful person with the biggest heart," said Julie Salvagio, GHRA Executive Director.
Carmelo Mauro was honored at TRA's Board & Awards Dinner on Monday, June 23, during the 2003 Southwest Foodservice Expo in Dallas by Ralph Sheffield, 2002-2003 TRA President.
CARMELO'S RISTORANTE ITALIANO AWARDED BEST IN CLASS FOR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce presented 10 awards for outstanding performance in the categories of Commitment to Community, Customer Service and Innovation at its Second Annual Business Awards Banquet at the Renaissance Hotel. The theme of the second annual awards banquet was "Some Like it Hot" and the stars, including a Marilyn Monroe look-alike, played to a packed house.
Public-spirited Motorola presented the One for All Commitment to Community awards to companies that were best in class in contributions to the community. The awards were presented by Nan McRaven, Motorola Vice President and Director of Communications and Public Affairs, and Darryl Ewing, Motorola Semiconductor Public Affairs Manager.
"For the past 25 years, Motorola has played an active part in shaping the Austin community. With the Commitment to Community Awards, we get to recognize and reinforce the importance of great corporate citizenship with a new generation of companies who are demonstrating their leadership in the community," Ewing said.
The One For All Commitment to Community Awards
Small Business Winner: Carmelo's Ristorante Italiano. Whether it's holding a Christmas party for Foster Grandparents, with meals and silver angels as gifts, or teaching high school students to be restaurant entrepreneurs, Carmelo's is there. Carmelo's does off-premise catering for charities and makes its gift certificates available for silent auctions. But the jewel in its community service crown is its restaurant inside Del Valle High School, where students learn how to run a restaurant that is a successful business. This school-to-work program requires a commitment of about $100,000 from Carmelo's.
Then Chamber CEO and President Mark Hazelwood said, "The Greater Austin business community perseveres in the most challenging of times. In the long run, it's not where we are in the business cycle that matters, but the persistence, talent, dedication, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the people within Austin's companies."
LUISA MAURO APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF GROUP MARKETING
After several years of sales experience with Xerox Corporation, Luisa Mauro was appointed Carmelo's first Director of Group Marketing. A UT Austin Business School graduate with a BBA in Marketing, Luisa has a proficiency in Italian and completed a course in Italian language and culture in Sicily. "Your events should be fun," said Luisa, "and Carmelo's is here to ensure your functions exceed your expectations and leave you with wonderful memories." From graduation celebrations to wedding receptions, from baby showers to retirement dinners, from cocktail parties to business meetings, Luisa Mauro's goal is to see to it that everyone is pampered - and tells a friend!
Luisa Mauro seen here at the opening of Del Valle High School's Carmelo's Ristorante Italiano Restaurant (a model to teach students how to own and run a business) with her proud parents Carmelo and Hilary Mauro.
DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL WELCOMES PROGRESSIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM
It's history in the making - a school based restaurant to teach students entrepreneurial skills! This pioneer program, the first of its kind in the nation, gives Del Valle High School students the tools they need to successfully pursue a career in business. As part of the program, a Carmelo's Italian Restaurant was built within the school to serve as a business laboratory accompanied by a comprehensive three-year curriculum.
The Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation has a mission to expose young minds to the industry and expand career opportunities for the best and brightest students. Whether students pursue careers in business, law, architecture, marketing or design, the primary goal is to attract students who may not have otherwise thought of pursuing a career in the industry and provide them with the knowledge necessary to own and operate a business.
CLIENTS GET VIP PAMPERING
It started with breath mints labeled "The Smell of Garlic! The Roar of the Accordion!" It has expanded to latte mugs, reading glasses, flashlights and silk/cashmere shawls direct from "Bloomies" to ward off a chill. When clients go out to dinner at Carmelo's, they can always expect the VIP treatment (very Italian pampering).
