The Italian Catholic Federation Branch 392 will present Gino and Tatiana Rago with its Mother Cabrini Award on Nov. 16. A 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Francis Borgia Church in Chicago will be followed by a noon dinner at The Empress Banquets in Addison. For details, call 773-763-0507 or 708-307-7180.
The following profile was provided by the organization:
Gino and Tatiana Rago
Gino Rago was born in Chicago in 1965 to immigrant parents from Mola di Bari, Italy. Growing up, he lived briefly in Italy and spent many summers living with and visiting his grandparents. He would help his grandfather Leonardo work his farm, and watch his mom and grandmother bake cookies and prepare traditional meals.
Gino and Tatiana Rago
When Gino began first grade in Chicago, he only spoke Italian, at times joining other bilingual students in learning English. It was very challenging for him, especially when it came time to do homework. His parents couldn’t help him, so Gino and his other ESL classmates would walk to the library after school to ask for help with their work. Gino was very fortunate to have kind neighbors who were also able to assist him during his school days. Out of gratitude, Gino’s mother would invite the neighbors over for homemade cookies and food.
Gino grew up in a middle-class, hardworking family. They attended church every Sunday at St. Francis Borgia, where Gino also went to school. At the age of 11, he became an altar boy, which he did for several years until his family moved to the suburbs.
In his early teens, Gino began working with his father, Floriano, in a pizzeria. He worked every weekend and on any break he had from school. That’s where Gino developed a passion for cooking and pizza-making.
Gino graduated from Prospect High School in 1983. His parents didn’t want him to go into the restaurant business, so they convinced him to attend college or a technical school. While Gino was deciding what he wanted to do, he and his cousin Lenny started a DJ business called Dischi Dorati (Golden Records) Productions, often playing at events in the Italian American community and occasionally hosting teen dances. During this time, Gino started pursuing a career in electronics at DeVry University. He also became an HVAC technician, which he did until he was 30 years old.
In 1992, Gino’s wife, Tatiana, received a call from her cousin Mario DeMarco, who owned an Italian food import and distribution company called Mama Gina’s. He originally wanted Gino to install refrigeration and HVAC equipment, but when he saw how knowledgeable Gino was about Italian food, pizzerias and restaurant kitchens, he offered him a job as a food buyer and sales manager.
When Mama Gina’s was sold in 1997, Gino and his brother Lenny decided to open a pizzeria, and Panino’s came to fruition. Located in Evanston, the family-owned pizzeria brought much success to the brothers. A few years later, Gino and Lenny brought their cousin Bruno Brunetti into the business and together they opened two more locations, in Park Ridge and Chicago.
In 2014, after much success and local press acclaim, Gino was invited to join the culinary side of the United States Pizza Team, which competes in national and international events in a variety of categories. It’s just like the Olympics, but for pizza!
It didn’t take long for Gino to start winning, and after a year he was asked by PMQ Pizza Magazine, owner of the U.S. Pizza Team, to become its culinary coach. He brought Lenny and Bruno on board and together they and Panino’s won 12 National and International Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. Currently, the trio are brand ambassadors for Galbani Cheese, Smithfield Foods and Margherita Meats brands in the United States.
In 2024, Gino retired from the U.S. Pizza Team and was awarded the Purple Chef coat and plaque and the title of Coach Emeritus for his contributions to the organization. Gino is still part-owner of Panino’s while serving as a consultant for the U.S. Pizza Team. He enjoys practicing the art of karate and being a member of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Chicago.
Gino married Tatiana DeSantis in October of 1988. Born in Rovito Cosenza, Calabria, Tatiana came to America with her family at the age of 4. She has always been Gino’s rock and caregiver when he successfully battled cancer. She is a wonderful mother to their two daughters: Rosa, a nurse practitioner married to Francisco Romo, and Gina, a hairstylist married to Andrew Ristinen. Gino and his family have a dog named Paolo who brings much joy to their lives and loves to join them for delicious traditional Italian meals.
Gino, his family and his company donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Tunnels to Towers Foundation, as well as local churches, events and food banks. Gino also donates to the American Cancer Society.
Gino appreciates and will always remember what people have done for him and his family. He and his wife are devoted to San Francesco di Paola, a patron saint who has been at their side since the day they were married.
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Dining and Cooking