OLIVE GARDEN Site Selection Criteria - Darden Restaurants
OLIVE GARDEN Site Selection Criteria - Darden Restaurants
OLIVE GARDEN Site Selection Criteria - Darden Restaurants
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<strong>OLIVE</strong> <strong>GARDEN</strong><br />
<strong>Site</strong> <strong>Selection</strong> <strong>Criteria</strong><br />
Building <strong>Criteria</strong><br />
Building Square Footage 7,500 – 8,500<br />
Land/Parking needs Land to accommodate our prototype building and 125<br />
– 145 parking spaces (may include legal cross parking<br />
Location<br />
Building Height<br />
Ownership<br />
Prefer to own our real estate but will consider ground leases.<br />
Typical Lease Terms (If purchase not available)<br />
Prime regional focal point<br />
22’ (with architectural features up to 28’ depending on<br />
location)<br />
Base Rent<br />
Negotiable<br />
CAM<br />
Negotiable – Cap and audit rights required<br />
Tax<br />
Pro-rata<br />
Insurance<br />
Pro-rata<br />
% Rent None<br />
Initial Term<br />
10 years<br />
Renewal Options<br />
Four 5-year options<br />
Demographic Requirements<br />
Population<br />
Area of Focus<br />
Trade areas with 100,000 people exclusive to the<br />
restaurant<br />
Prime regional location for the trade area<br />
Comments<br />
- End-cap/building lease will be considered on a case-by-case basis with emphasis<br />
on parking, visibility, access and our ability to use prototypical Olive Garden<br />
exterior branding and signage.<br />
- <strong>Darden</strong> <strong>Restaurants</strong>, the parent company of Olive Garden, has designed several<br />
restaurants nationwide that have earned LEED certification. Going forward all of<br />
our restaurants will have sustainable elements, although all will not be LEED<br />
certified. Some of the sustainable design elements include recycled building<br />
materials, enlarged windows to increase natural light, low-water landscaping and<br />
energy-efficient equipment. These enhancements are part of the Sustainable<br />
Restaurant Design initiative launched by <strong>Darden</strong> <strong>Restaurants</strong>.<br />
Last Updated: Feb 2012
Create a Sampler Italiano<br />
Choose from: calamari, stuffed mushrooms,<br />
fried zucchini, chicken fingers, fried mozzarella<br />
or toasted beef and pork ravioli.<br />
Three Choices 00.00 Two Choices 00.00<br />
Stuffed mushrooms prepared with clams.<br />
Bruschetta<br />
A traditional topping of roma tomatoes, fresh<br />
basil and extra-virgin olive oil. Served with<br />
toasted ciabatta bread. 00.00<br />
Shrimp Scampi Fritta<br />
Hand-breaded and fried shrimp lightly tossed with<br />
garlic and a white wine butter sauce. 00.00<br />
Caprese Flatbread<br />
Mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil on<br />
flatbread crust with garlic spread. 00.00<br />
Grilled Chicken Flatbread<br />
Chicken, mozzarella, roasted red peppers and basil<br />
with alfredo and garlic spread. 00.00<br />
Mussels di Napoli<br />
Mussels in the shell, simmered with wine,<br />
garlic-butter and onions. 00.00<br />
Hot Artichoke-Spinach Dip<br />
A blend of artichokes, spinach and cream<br />
cheese. Served with Tuscan bread. 00.00<br />
Chicken & Gnocchi<br />
A creamy soup made with roasted chicken,<br />
traditional Italian dumplings and spinach. 00.00<br />
Pasta e Fagioli<br />
White and red beans, ground beef, tomatoes<br />
and pasta in a savory broth. 00.00<br />
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad<br />
Grilled chicken over romaine in a creamy<br />
Caesar dressing topped with parmesan<br />
cheese and croutons. 00.00<br />
Create Your Own Pizza<br />
Choose up to four toppings. 00.00<br />
Pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions,<br />
bell peppers, black olives or roma tomatoes.<br />
DA_$00 _012312<br />
We proudly serve Italian specialties inspired<br />
by our Culinary Institute of Tuscany. SM<br />
Olive Garden chefs train at this cooking<br />
school located at Riserva di Fizzano, an<br />
eleventh century village in the heart<br />
of Italy’s Tuscany region.<br />
Antipasti (Appetizers)<br />
Pizze (Pizzas)<br />
Lasagna Fritta<br />
Parmesan-breaded lasagna pieces, fried and<br />
served over alfredo sauce, topped with<br />
parmesan cheese and marinara sauce. 00.00<br />
Smoked Mozzarella Fonduta<br />
Oven-baked smoked mozzarella, provolone,<br />
parmesan and romano cheese. Served with<br />
Tuscan bread. 00.00<br />
Dipping Sauces for Breadsticks<br />
Freshly prepared marinara, alfredo or<br />
five cheese marinara. 00.00<br />
Sicilian Scampi<br />
Large shrimp sautéed in white wine,<br />
extra-virgin olive oil, garlic and tomatoes.<br />
Served over ciabatta bread. 00.00<br />
Stuffed Mushrooms<br />
Parmesan, romano and mozzarella cheese,<br />
clams and herb breadcrumbs baked in<br />
mushroom caps. 00.00<br />
Calamari<br />
Tender calamari, lightly breaded and fried.<br />
Served with parmesan-peppercorn and<br />
marinara sauces. 00.00<br />
Zuppe e Insalate (Soups & Salads)<br />
Minestrone<br />
Fresh vegetables, beans and pasta in a light<br />
tomato broth – a vegetarian classic. 00.00<br />
Zuppa Toscana<br />
Spicy sausage, russet potatoes and cavolo<br />
greens in a creamy broth. 00.00<br />
Garden-Fresh Salad<br />
Our famous house salad, tossed with our<br />
signature Italian dressing. 00.00<br />
(Unlimited refills!)<br />
Chicken Alfredo Pizza<br />
Pizza topped with grilled chicken, Italian<br />
cheeses, alfredo sauce and scallions. 00.00<br />
Pizzas are also available as an appetizer.<br />
Lasagna Classico<br />
Layers of pasta, meat sauce and mozzarella,<br />
ricotta, parmesan and romano cheese.** 00.00<br />
Five Cheese Ziti al Forno<br />
Ziti pasta in a five cheese marinara sauce, baked<br />
with a layer of melted Italian cheeses. 00.00<br />
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce<br />
Traditional meat sauce seasoned with garlic<br />
and herbs over spaghetti.** 00.00<br />
Linguine alla Marinara<br />
Pasta with a zesty blend of ripe tomatoes,<br />
onions and herbs. 00.00<br />
Chicken Parmigiana<br />
Parmesan-breaded chicken breasts, fried and<br />
topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella<br />
cheese. Served with spaghetti. 00.00<br />
Mixed Grill*<br />
Skewers of grilled marinated steak and chicken<br />
with a rosemary demi-glace, served with grilled<br />
vegetables and Tuscan potatoes. 00.00<br />
Steak prepared medium unless otherwise requested.<br />
Braised Beef & Tortelloni<br />
Tender sliced short ribs and portobello<br />
mushrooms tossed with asiago-filled<br />
tortelloni in a basil-marsala sauce. 00.00<br />
Ravioli di Portobello<br />
Portobello mushroom-filled ravioli in<br />
a creamy smoked cheese and sun-dried<br />
tomato sauce. 00.00<br />
Cucina Classica (Classic Recipes)<br />
Chianti Braised Short Ribs<br />
Tender boneless beef short ribs slow cooked<br />
in a chianti wine sauce. Served with portobello<br />
mushroom risotto and steamed vegetables. 00.00<br />
Steak Toscano*<br />
Grilled 12 oz choice center cut Strip steak brushed<br />
with Italian herbs and extra-virgin olive oil. Served<br />
with Tuscan potatoes and bell peppers. 00.00<br />
Carne (Beef & Pork)<br />
Pasta Ripiena (Filled Pastas)<br />
Fettuccine Alfredo<br />
Parmesan cream sauce with a hint of garlic,<br />
served over fettuccine. 00.00<br />
Eggplant Parmigiana<br />
Lightly breaded eggplant, fried and topped<br />
with marinara sauce, mozzarella and parmesan<br />
cheese. Served with spaghetti. 00.00<br />
Capellini Pomodoro<br />
Roma tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, extra-virgin<br />
olive oil and marinara sauce tossed with<br />
capellini. 00.00<br />
Spaghetti & Meatballs<br />
Traditional meat sauce over spaghetti with<br />
meatballs (or Italian sausage).** 00.00<br />
Tour of Italy<br />
Homemade lasagna, lightly breaded<br />
chicken parmigiana and creamy<br />
fettuccine alfredo.** 00.00<br />
Steak Gorgonzola-Alfredo*<br />
Grilled beef medallions drizzled with balsamic<br />
glaze, served over fettuccine tossed with<br />
spinach and gorgonzola-alfredo sauce. 00.00<br />
Steak prepared medium unless otherwise requested.<br />
Parmesan Crusted Bistecca*<br />
Grilled 8 oz center cut sirloin topped with<br />
parmesan-herb breading, baked golden brown.<br />
Served with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes and<br />
asparagus drizzled with balsamic glaze. 00.00<br />
Grilled Sausage & Peppers Rustica<br />
Italian sausage, bell peppers and fresh mozzarella<br />
with penne in a zesty marinara sauce. 00.00<br />
Cheese Ravioli<br />
Cheese-filled ravioli topped with marinara or<br />
meat sauce and melted Italian cheeses.** 00.00<br />
Lasagna Rollata al Forno<br />
Lasagna rolls stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella,<br />
asiago, parmesan and romano cheese. Topped<br />
with mozzarella and seasoned breadcrumbs,<br />
baked in five cheese marinara. 00.00<br />
Enjoy our freshly baked garlic breadsticks and your choice of<br />
homemade soup or garden-fresh salad with any entrée or pizza.<br />
Venetian Apricot Chicken<br />
Grilled chicken breasts in an apricot citrus<br />
sauce. Served with broccoli, asparagus<br />
and diced tomatoes. 00.00<br />
Chicken Scampi<br />
Chicken breast tenderloins sautéed with<br />
bell peppers, roasted garlic and onions in<br />
a garlic cream sauce over angel hair. 00.00<br />
Chicken Alfredo<br />
Grilled chicken tossed with fettuccine and<br />
fresh alfredo sauce. 00.00<br />
Stuffed Chicken Marsala<br />
Oven-roasted chicken breast stuffed with Italian<br />
cheeses and sun-dried tomatoes, topped with<br />
mushrooms and a creamy marsala sauce. Served<br />
with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes. 00.00<br />
Shrimp Mezzaluna<br />
Crescent-shaped ravioli filled with four Italian<br />
cheeses, tossed with sautéed shrimp and<br />
tomatoes in a white wine cream sauce. 00.00<br />
Shrimp Primavera<br />
Shrimp, bell peppers, onions and mushrooms<br />
in a bold arrabbiata sauce over penne. 00.00<br />
Seafood Alfredo<br />
Sautéed shrimp and scallops tossed with<br />
creamy fettuccine alfredo. 00.00<br />
Capellini di Mare<br />
Shrimp, clams and mussels sautéed in white<br />
wine, garlic and a zesty marinara sauce.<br />
Served over capellini and topped with<br />
fresh basil. 00.00<br />
Grilled Shrimp Caprese<br />
Grilled marinated shrimp served over angel<br />
hair pasta with melted mozzarella, fresh basil<br />
and tomatoes in a garlic-butter sauce. 00.00<br />
Pollo (Chicken)<br />
Pesce (Fish & Seafood)<br />
Chicken Marsala<br />
Sautéed chicken breasts in a savory sauce of<br />
mushrooms, garlic and marsala wine. Served<br />
with Tuscan potatoes and bell peppers. 00.00<br />
Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara<br />
Chicken and shrimp with bucatini pasta in a<br />
parmesan cream sauce with pancetta bacon<br />
and roasted red peppers, baked and topped<br />
with seasoned breadcrumbs. 00.00<br />
Mediterranean Grilled Chicken<br />
Herb-marinated grilled chicken breasts served<br />
over capellini in a light, zesty lemon-herb<br />
vinaigrette tossed with cherry tomatoes,<br />
feta cheese, spinach and olives. 00.00<br />
Chicken Vino Bianco<br />
Pan-seared chicken breasts with mushrooms,<br />
tomatoes, onions and garlic in a white wine<br />
sauce over linguine. 00.00<br />
Seafood Portofino<br />
Mussels, scallops, shrimp and mushrooms with<br />
linguine in a garlic-butter wine sauce. 00.00<br />
Shrimp & Crab Tortelli Romana<br />
Shrimp, crab and smoked mozzarella-filled ravioli,<br />
topped with sautéed shrimp in a three cheese and<br />
sun-dried tomato sauce. 00.00<br />
Herb-Grilled Salmon<br />
Salmon filet brushed with Italian herbs and<br />
extra-virgin olive oil. Served with seasoned<br />
broccoli. 00.00<br />
Seafood Brodetto<br />
Scallops, shrimp and delicate tilapia with spinach<br />
and mushrooms simmered in a light white wine<br />
and marinara-saffron broth. Served with toasted<br />
ciabatta bread. 00.00<br />
Parmesan Crusted Tilapia<br />
Oven-baked delicate white fish crusted<br />
with parmesan cheese. Served with Italian<br />
vegetables over angel hair tossed in a light<br />
garlic-butter sauce. 00.00<br />
This olive branch highlights our delicious low fat entrées.<br />
For items lowest in calories, fat and sodium, or our Gluten Free selections,<br />
please ask your server for our Garden Fare® Nutrition Guide.<br />
If you have a food allergy, please request our Allergen Information Guide.<br />
*These menu items are cooked to order. Consuming raw or<br />
undercooked meats may increase your risk of foodborne illness.<br />
**Our meat sauce is made with pan-seared beef and Italian sausage.<br />
When sharing an entrée and salad, there will be an additional charge for salad refills.<br />
An optional 18% gratuity will be added to parties of 8 or more.
Vini (Wines)<br />
Our wines are listed from milder to bolder to assist you<br />
in selecting a wine that best complements your meal. Saluté!<br />
Principato (Our Signature House Wines)<br />
From family vineyards in Trentino, Italy to your table.<br />
Bianco (White) 00.00 00.00 00.00<br />
Rosato (Blush) 00.00 00.00 00.00<br />
Rosso (Red) 00.00 00.00 00.00<br />
Asti Martini & Rossi, Italy 00.00 00.00<br />
Prosecco Zonin, Italy 00.00<br />
Slightly Sweet<br />
Moscato Primo Amore, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Moscato Castello del Poggio, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
White Zinfandel Sutter Home 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Riesling Chateau Ste. Michelle 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Light & Fruity<br />
Pinot Grigio Cavit, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Pinot Grigio Sartori, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Pinot Grigio Kris, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Pinot Grigio-Sauvignon Blanc Bertani Due Uve, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Sauvignon Blanc Bonterra Organic 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Full & Smooth<br />
Fiano Mandra Rossa, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Chardonnay Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Chardonnay Chateau Ste. Michelle 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Chardonnay Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Smooth & Fruity<br />
6 oz<br />
glass<br />
9 oz<br />
quartino<br />
Spumante (Sparkling)<br />
Bianco e Rosato (White & Blush)<br />
Rosso (Red)<br />
magnum<br />
(serves 8 glasses)<br />
Roscato Rosso Dolce, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Lambrusco Riunite, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Pinot Noir Cavit, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Pinot Noir Estancia 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Sangiovese Rocca delle Macie Rubizzo, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Nero d’Avola Arancio, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Soft Berry Flavors<br />
Chianti Straccali, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Chianti Classico Gabbiano, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Chianti Classico Riserva Rocca delle Macie, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Merlot Ecco Domani, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Merlot Clos du Bois 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Winemaker’s Blend Seven Daughters 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Valpolicella Secco-Bertani, Italy 000.00<br />
Robust & Rich<br />
Cabernet Robert Mondavi Private <strong>Selection</strong> 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Cabernet Beringer Founders’ Estate 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Zinfandel Ravenswood 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Sangiovese-Syrah Rocca delle Macie SaSyr, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Super Tuscan Villa Antinori, Italy 00.00 00.00 000.00<br />
Brunello di Montalcino Col d’Orcia, Italy 000.00<br />
Amarone Bertani, Italy 000.00<br />
6 oz<br />
glass<br />
6 oz<br />
glass<br />
6 oz<br />
glass/split<br />
9 oz<br />
quartino<br />
9 oz<br />
quartino<br />
bottle<br />
bottle<br />
bottle<br />
Bevande Speciali (Specialty Cocktails)<br />
Italian Margarita<br />
Sauza Gold Tequila, Triple Sec and<br />
DiSaronno Amaretto. 00.00<br />
Roscato Berry Splash<br />
Fruity red Roscato wine mixed with strawberry,<br />
lime and a hint of mint. 00.00<br />
Moscato Aperol Spritz<br />
Sparkling Moscato wine and Aperol Italian<br />
liqueur, mixed with flavors of orange peel<br />
essence and ginger ale. 00.00<br />
Sangrias – Berry or Peach<br />
A blend of chilled wine, fresh fruit and a splash<br />
of fruit juices. 00.00 glass 00.00 pitcher<br />
Venetian Sunset<br />
Martini & Rossi Asti with pineapple and<br />
cherry juices. 00.00<br />
Bellinis – Peach, Strawberry<br />
or Wild Berry<br />
A frozen blend of Martini & Rossi Asti and<br />
fresh fruit. 00.00<br />
Daiquiris<br />
Bacardi Rum and fresh fruit. Choose from<br />
strawberry, peach, mango or wild berry. 00.00<br />
Imports & Specialties<br />
Corona, Heineken, Peroni, Samuel Adams Lager,<br />
Stella Artois, Samuel Adams Seasonal, Guinness,<br />
Newcastle Brown Ale<br />
Draft<br />
Blue Moon, Bud Light (Available in 14 or 20 oz)<br />
Please ask your server for additional offerings.<br />
Skinny Pomegranate Limetta<br />
A refreshing blend of lime, lemon and pomegranate<br />
mixed with sparkling water and fresh sliced fruit.<br />
Skinny White Peach Cooler<br />
A refreshing blend of white peach and mint, mixed<br />
with iced tea and a splash of lemonade.<br />
Strawberry-Mango Limonata<br />
Refreshing strawberry and mango purée, mixed<br />
with sweet lemonade and sliced strawberries.<br />
Bella Limonata<br />
Refreshing mix of sweet lemonade, pomegranate<br />
and pineapple juices with fresh sliced fruit.<br />
Italian Sodas<br />
Raspberry, vanilla, orange, cherry, caramel or<br />
lemon syrup mixed with soda water.<br />
Frullato Smoothies<br />
A frozen blend of fruit purée and creamy non-fat<br />
yogurt. Choose from strawberry, wild berry or<br />
peach-mango.<br />
Signature Cocktails<br />
Frozen Cocktails<br />
Birra (Beer)<br />
Strawberry Fresco<br />
Smirnoff Citrus Vodka, fresh strawberries<br />
and lemonade. 00.00<br />
Pomegranate Margarita Martini<br />
Patrón Silver Tequila, Citrónge Orange Liqueur,<br />
pomegranate syrup and fresh citrus juices. 00.00<br />
Strawberry-Limoncello Martini<br />
Smirnoff Citrus Vodka, Caravella Limoncello<br />
and strawberries. 00.00<br />
Mango Martini<br />
Malibu mango rum, mango purée and<br />
citrus juices. 00.00<br />
Chocolate Martini<br />
Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Smirnoff Vanilla<br />
Twist Vodka and cream. 00.00<br />
Frozen Margaritas – Strawberry,<br />
Strawberry-Mango or Wild Berry<br />
A frozen margarita made with Sauza Gold<br />
Tequila and fresh fruit. 00.00<br />
Premium<br />
Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Budweiser,<br />
Michelob Ultra, O’Doul’s (Non-Alcoholic)<br />
Bevande (Non-Alcoholic Beverages)<br />
Specialty Coffees & Hot Teas<br />
Caffè la Toscana Coffee, Lavazza Espresso,<br />
Caramel Hazelnut Macchiato, Caffè Mocha,<br />
Cappuccino, Frozen Cappuccino, Caffè Latte,<br />
Herbal & Flavored Hot Teas<br />
Iced Teas & Raspberry Lemonade<br />
Bellini Peach-Raspberry Iced Tea,<br />
Fresh Brewed Iced Tea, Raspberry Lemonade<br />
Italian Bottled Water<br />
Acqua Panna, San Pellegrino<br />
Fruit Juices<br />
Apple, Cranberry, Orange, Pineapple<br />
Fountain Drinks<br />
Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, Sprite®, Dr Pepper®<br />
Complimentary refills of fountain drinks, raspberry<br />
lemonade, fruit juices, teas and Caffè la Toscana coffee.<br />
© 2012 <strong>Darden</strong> Concepts, Inc. Printed in the USA. Tour of Italy, Create a Sampler Italiano and Caffè la Toscana Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.<br />
DA_$00 _012312
<strong>OLIVE</strong> <strong>GARDEN</strong> CORPORATE FACT SHEET<br />
Olive Garden is committed to its purpose of Hospitaliano! – providing 100 percent guest delight through<br />
a genuine Italian dining experience. This passion is continuing to advance Olive Garden’s leadership<br />
position in the highly competitive, full‐service Italian segment of the casual dining industry.<br />
Background<br />
Founded in 1982, Olive Garden is owned by <strong>Darden</strong> <strong>Restaurants</strong>, Inc. (NYSE:DRI), the world’s largest<br />
company‐owned and operated full‐service restaurant company. With more than 770 restaurants, more<br />
than 88,000 employees and more than $3 billion in annual sales, Olive Garden is the leading restaurant<br />
in the Italian casual dining segment.<br />
Guest Experience<br />
At Olive Garden, “When you’re here, you’re family,” is more than a tagline. Embracing the hospitality<br />
Italy is known for, Olive Garden team members have a passion for genuinely connecting with guests at<br />
the restaurants. We delight more than 3.3 million guests every week with fresh, simple and delicious<br />
food, award‐winning wine and beverage lists and friendly service in a comfortable, home‐like setting.<br />
Employee Culture<br />
Olive Garden attributes much of its success to its continued training and development of restaurant<br />
team members with programs that reward and recognize high performance, such as weeklong cultural<br />
immersion trips to Italy and wine education training for select team members.<br />
Awards<br />
Olive Garden’s award‐winning food, beverage and training teams have garnered national recognition for<br />
their innovation, program execution and industry leadership from top trade publications and food<br />
service organizations.<br />
Last Updated Mar 2012
CULINARY INSTITUTE OF TUSCANY FACT SHEET<br />
Olive Garden takes pride in its connections to Italy, its culture and its people. In the spirit of Italian<br />
generosity and in order to bring guests the most authentic Italian culinary experience, employees<br />
immerse themselves in the best that Italian heritage and culture has to offer at Olive Garden’s Culinary<br />
Institute of Tuscany in Italy.<br />
An Overview: Culinary Institute of Tuscany<br />
For more than a decade, Olive Garden has been sending employees to its Culinary Institute of Tuscany,<br />
which is located in the heart of an 11 th century village on the 450‐acre Riserva di Fizzano property. The<br />
property is also home to the Rocca delle Macie Winery and owned by Olive Garden’s Italian partners,<br />
the Zingarelli family. At the Culinary Institute of Tuscany, Olive Garden chefs and restaurant managers<br />
learn the secrets of great Italian cooking – like how to combine fresh ingredients, layer flavors and pair<br />
food with Italian wines to create authentic, delicious meals they can share with family and friends.<br />
Extending the Olive Garden Family<br />
In 1999, Olive Garden partnered with the Zingarelli family, proprietors of Riserva di Fizzano in Tuscany,<br />
to establish the Olive Garden culinary school. Located on the grounds of the Rocca delle Macie Winery,<br />
the Culinary Institute of Tuscany welcomes Olive Garden team members from November through March<br />
and serves as a Bed and Breakfast to travelers the rest of the year.<br />
Culinary Institute of Tuscany Graduates<br />
More than 1,200 Olive Garden chefs and managers throughout the U.S. have traveled to Italy to learn<br />
the essentials of Italian cuisine and become immersed in the culture. Participants begin their experience<br />
in Sienna, travel to Florence and then complete the trip in Rome. During the trip they partake in<br />
activities such as visits to local markets and meet‐and‐greets with Italian chefs. Upon their return,<br />
graduates not only have an enhanced appreciation for Italian fare and culture, they also have a deeper<br />
understanding for the meaning of Hospitaliano, Olive Garden’s passion for 100% guest delight.<br />
Page #3 Last Updated March 2011
CULINARY INSTITUTE OF TUSCANY FACT SHEET<br />
At Olive Garden, Italy, and more specifically Tuscany, is the inspiration for everything we do. We’re<br />
especially inspired by the cultural traditions and the warmth and generosity of the Italian people. Olive<br />
Garden sends more than 100 Olive Garden team members to our Culinary Institute of Tuscany annually<br />
to celebrate and experience what Olive Garden holds dear – delighting every guest with a genuine<br />
Italian dining experience. This program is one way we inspire and foster passion, pride and commitment<br />
with our team members.<br />
An Overview: Culinary Institute of Tuscany<br />
In 1999, Olive Garden partnered with the Zingarelli family, proprietors of the Riserva di Fizzano property,<br />
to establish the Culinary Institute of Tuscany. Located on the grounds of the Rocca delle Macie Winery,<br />
the Culinary Institute of Tuscany welcomes Olive Garden team members from November through March<br />
every year.<br />
More than 1200 Olive Garden chefs and managers throughout North America have traveled to Italy to<br />
get immersed in Italian culture and learn about the cuisine. During the trips, Olive Garden chefs and<br />
restaurant managers learn fundamentals of Italian cooking, like how to combine fresh ingredients to<br />
create delicious meals they can share and enjoy with family and friends. Participants begin their<br />
experience in Siena, travel to Florence and then complete the trip in Rome, and they get to experience<br />
the culture, sites and food at every destination. For more than a decade, the program has been<br />
facilitated by Olive Garden Executive Chef Paolo Lafata – a native Italian and recognized Master Chef by<br />
the Italian Culinary Professionals Association (Associazione Professionale Cuochi Italiani). When the trips<br />
are over, participants return home with a better appreciation for, and understanding of, Italian culture<br />
and cuisine and share this with other team members and our guests.<br />
For more information:<br />
Visit http://www.olivegarden.com/culinary/cit/ or http://www.facebook.com/OliveGarden.<br />
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Last Updated: Feb 2012