WHO WE ARE
OUR MISSION
Cucina & Amore is dedicated to support the well-being of all people by sharing our love of innovative, great tasting and affordable high-quality foods.
KITCHEN OF LOVE
SectionTHE PAST MEETS THE FUTURE
A true family company, Cucina & Amore was founded in 2007, rooted in our family's love of enjoying good food and gathering family and friends in the kitchen, and we’ve been on a great journey ever since. From our beginnings as a specialty foods distributor to the founding of Cucina & Amore, we’ve stayed true to our core beliefs — value, quality, innovation — to provide delicious, high quality
foods for our customers, to our retail partners and our community.
We continue to make these foods with only a few, recognizable ingredients, minimal processing, and GMO free. We owe a big thank you to everyone for joining us on this wonderful journey, and we hope that you’ll continue to be a part of our extended family for years to come.
TODAY
2018
Cucina & Amore gets a facelift. A brand new mobile-friendly website is launched with online shopping functionality and social connection!
2018
Grain-free Cauliflower Meals with delicious ethnic flavors and aromas join the family of Quick Meals, just in time for summer!
2016
A new Science Department led by Dr. Moshrefi, PhD is established.
Cucina & Amore launches in Southeast Asia and Japan!
2017
Farro Quick Meals are launched after scouting the world for new recipes, followed by many more delicious foods.
2015
Cucina & Amore goes digital!
2015
Explosive growth - Quinoa Meals go international & Cucina & Amore enters Europe!
2014
Cucina & Amore expands internationally - the first launch is in Canada.
2014
Persistency pays off. A new sub-category emerges when our ready to eat, shelf-stable Quinoa Meals are introduced to the market.
2014
Cucina & Amore helps create jobs for hundreds of farm workers.
2013
Cucina & Amore reinvents the salsa category: New tomato-free salsas hit the market… So delicious!
2013
Truffle sauces made with real truffle debut the mass market - now this luxury food is affordable for every consumer.
2012
Big breakthrough: Cucina & Amore goes NATIONAL!
2012
The launch of our authentic balsamic Vinegars of Modena, Italy, made by using a traditional process and single estate grapes, set the standard higher.
2010
Cucina & Amore pioneers a year-round sustainable harvest of fresh crops to maintain the high quality of our products.
2009
The Pioneer Award from the California Olive Oil Council is granted to Dean Wilkinson, our Olive Oil Expert!
2009
Cucina & Amore embraces crop waste reduction by utilizing artichoke leaves for delicious sauces.
2009
Peruvian farm communities that are growing some of our crops thrive by shifting from commodity to value-added, state-of-the art products.
2008
Ahead of the trend curve: Debut of Pasta Sauces in tetra packs from our Italian tomato grower in Parma, Italy and value-added Italian wheat germ pasta.
2007
Cucina & Amore launches its first specialty food products & family recipes in the San Francisco Bay Area - perfect for easy entertaining!
2007
When it all begins... the CUCINA & AMORE Kitchen of Love is born, inspired by Ruth to simplify preparation of delicious foods for working moms like herself.
1983 +
Following his passion into the delicious world of specialty foods, Hossein is working with the best producers worldwide, selecting the finest crops to formulate innovative new products. This experience awards him a tremendous expertise in creating the best quality foods and value for our customers to this day!
THE BEGINNING
MEET THE TEAM
Ruth Wilkinson
Founder & Chairman
Loves hiking and pre-dawn workouts, dedicated mother
Hossein Banejad
CEO
Epicurian with a vision, passionate pioneer, loving father and husband
Dean Wilkinson
Domestic Sales President
Keeps us up-to-date on all the latest trends, certified international olive oil tester, great father
Abu Taghizadeh
International Sales President
Keeps his eyes on international markets, enthusiastic number-cruncher and skier
Janet Contreras
Chief Operating Officer
Dedicated mother, loves the food of her native country, Laos, enjoys fishing
Amanda Lee
International Buyer & Sales Operations Manager
The one who really keeps the show running; fervent dog rescuer, hair and makeup always on point
Laila Brewster
Director of Media Relations
Social media wiz, exercise enthusiast, and pizza lover
Amir Banejad
Domestic Purchasing Manager
The most easy-going one on the team, avid gamer, food truck enthusiast
Taylor Brewster
Customer Service Coordinator
49er faithful, self proclaimed gearhead, loves pickling. Go Niners!
OUR PROMISE
Cucina & Amore is commited to raising the bar for making delicious, high quality and innovative foods, so everyone can experience a better way to eat and to entertain at home.
