Meet Michelangelo Glionna | Founder and Executive Chef of LA LA Lasagna

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelangelo Glionna and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelangelo, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The founding of LA LA Lasagna was driven by two fundamental factors: my passion for authentic Italian cuisine, fueled by my experience as a professional chef, and the desire to bring an authentic Italian culinary experience to the streets of Los Angeles.
In 2016, the food truck business was booming in the city, and there were some offering Italian cuisine, but many were Americanized. I wanted to create something unique, out of the usual scheme, with a strong characterization of both offer and service.
Thus, LA LA Lasagna was born: a true restaurant on wheels that serves not only delicious lasagnas but also fresh pasta, dishes and traditional Italian desserts, all made from scratch with fresh, organic, and high-quality ingredients.
My goal has always been to offer on-the-road cuisine that matches the quality of a traditional restaurant.

What should our readers know about your business?
What’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
I disagree with the idea of some chefs and colleagues who, to cut costs amid rising prices, think it is necessary to cut back on ingredient quality and portion sizes. I firmly believe that maintaining high standards is essential for long-term success, even if it means higher costs and more stress in balancing income and expenses.
The same goes for the work team: I do not follow the minimum wage but prioritize merit. For me, quality and authenticity in every aspect of the business are non-negotiable.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
Taking risks is an integral part of any business, especially in the restaurant industry. I have known the challenges of this sector for decades. Launching the world’s first food truck specializing in lasagna involved significant risks, from logistics to market acceptance to a different interpretation of Italian cuisine. However, the challenge was met, and these risks were fundamental in establishing our brand and distinguishing ourselves in a highly competitive sector.

What habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Quality, commitment to customer satisfaction, and continuous innovation are key habits that have always helped me achieve success. Creating a passionate and dedicated team has been equally important because a serene work environment encourages creativity and excellence. The success is just the logical consequence of this journey.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?
A constant commitment to quality. By staying true to my culinary roots and ensuring that every dish is made with the best ingredients, at LA LA Lasagna we have built a loyal customer base that appreciates and seeks our offerings. Our reputation is built on this solid foundation.

What’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
Throughout my career, I have learned many valuable lessons, but two in particular have marked me: perseverance and consistency. When I started LA LA Lasagna, I immediately faced a significant challenge: offering what we Italians usually eat, in a market with different eating habits here in America. Many customers gave me advice, convinced that what they had eaten until then was real Italian cuisine, not what I was proposing. Then, some of them, after visiting Italy, returned to my food truck to tell me that what they had tasted in Italy was just like what I served them! For me, it was the best compliment I could receive and confirmation that I was on the right path and should not give up.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?
Managing a food truck is much more challenging than I imagined, especially from a logistical and organizational standpoint. For example, Los Angeles traffic is a variable to deal with every day, while the food truck is a limited space where you must have everything you need at hand. Let me explain better: if you forget something, you can’t just go to the pantry to get it. In other words, on the food truck, you are forced to plan ahead, and often, to do this, you have to sacrifice something from your private life. Finding a balance between work and personal life is a constant challenge. Personally, I prioritize personal well-being and encourage my team to do the same, although in this growth phase there is still much to be done in this regard.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for LA LA Lasagna came from my love for fresh pasta and the lasagnas typical of my hometown, Bologna, and from the vision of bringing authentic Italian flavors to a mobile platform. I was inspired by the culinary traditions of my Bolognese and Neapolitan family, wanting to offer something unique and special that people could enjoy on the road.

Why did you pursue a career in the food business?
The profession of a chef is always pursued out of passion. I started as a child, watching my favorite cooking shows: my two grandmothers who were tiredless housewives and extraordinary cooks. Back then, there were no modern conveniences, everything was done at home, and being a housewife was a particularly demanding job. I remember that during the summer holidays, when I could spend time at their homes, I would wake up in the morning smelling the aromas of food throughout the house. And in the kitchen then seeing the magic of creating with one’s own hands was a moment of great inspiration.
The school, the technique, and the culinary science came later. Pursuing this career was driven by the passion for food and the desire to share the flavors and traditions of Italian cuisine with dishes that delight and reach the hearts of customers.

What are you inspired by?
I am inspired by the rich Italian culinary heritage, the joy of sharing good food, and the wonderful feedback from our customers. Seeing people appreciate my dishes and experiencing the magic of authentic Italian cuisine motivates me to always give my best.

Website: https://www.lalalasagna.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalalasagnaofficial/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lala_lasagna

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaLaLasagnaOfficial

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-la-lasagna-los-angeles

Other: Google: https://g.page/LaLaLasagnaOfficial?gm