Our Story
Rooted in Italian heritage
The Cicala Story
Italian heritage. Culinary excellence. A global vision.
It begins with family
Joe and Angela Cicala’s story begins with family.
Raised in Italian-American households, both learned the importance of food, tradition and hospitality from their mothers and grandmothers. Those early experiences created a lifelong connection to the flavors, rituals and craftsmanship of Italy — and ultimately became the foundation of their professional lives.
From the family archive
Joe Cicala
Trained on the Amalfi coast
Founder — Chef
Joe moved to Italy at a young age, where he trained under Chef Pietro Rispoli in Salerno and continued developing his craft along the Amalfi and Sorrento coasts. His career later took him through some of America’s most acclaimed kitchens, working alongside James Beard Award-winning chefs and earning multiple James Beard recognitions of his own.
Recognition Multiple James Beard recognitions
Angela Cicala
From market stalls to the pass
Founder — Pastry Chef
Angela’s journey began with her mother and grandmother, who made traditional Italian cookies and pastries for markets and fairs throughout South Jersey and Philadelphia. She went on to train with renowned French pastry chef Michel Gras and lead pastry kitchens at some of Philadelphia’s most respected restaurants. A James Beard Semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef, she has also spent more than two decades traveling, living and working in Italy, studying its food, culture and traditions.
Recognition James Beard Semifinalist, Outstanding Pastry Chef
The platform
Together, Joe and Angela have transformed that heritage into a contemporary hospitality vision.
Cicala is being built as a global Italian lifestyle and hospitality platform encompassing:
- 01 Luxury Hospitality Partnerships
- 02 Flagship Restaurants
- 03 Curated Travel Experiences
- 04 Artisanal Foods
Every concept is rooted in authentic Italian heritage, elevated through modern luxury and designed for an international audience.
The vision
What began with two families, generations of recipes and a lifelong love of Italy is now becoming a global brand built around the enduring value of Italian food, culture, craftsmanship and hospitality.
Get in touch
Continue the conversation
For partnerships, press, and enquiries across the group, our team would be glad to hear from you.