F2F
Educational Events
F2F
is pleased to announce that its
2003 Fundraising Gala
“Cooking
with the Carrabba’s”
Celebrating
The Magic of All Children
was held on
Friday, March 21, 2003
and honored
Damian Mandola, Johnny Carrabba,
and Rose Carrabba
for their generous support of the community.
The evening included dinner, a Silent Auction, as well as
“Cooking
with the Carrabba’s,” which was an opportunity to see
and learn and be entertained by the Carrabba’s!
If
you are interested in making a donation, please send your checks to:
Family to Family Network
13150 FM 529, Suite 106
Houston, TX 77041
ATTN: Missy Steed
Thank you for supporting the programs offered by Family to Family
Network. Together….we make a difference for Houston’s
children.
Meet
the Carrabba’s 
Everyone in Houston knows about Carrabba’s. The name brings
to mind wonderful, fresh Italian food served in a warm, festive atmosphere.
But, behind the great dishes and hospitality are Damian Mandola, Johnny
Carrabba, and Rose Carrabba, whose passion for good food is rivaled
only by their passion for contributing to the community.
Damian Mandola grew up in Houston where he attended St. Thomas High
School and Sam Houston State University.
Johnny Carrabba was born to be a restaurateur. His family made preparing
great meals and entertaining guests an integral part of their lives.
As Johnny says, “food has always been a part of everything we
do– that’s just how we were raised.”
Johnny attended St. Thomas University in Houston. After college, he
went to work managing his Uncle Tony’s Blue Oyster Bar. In 1986,
Johnny and his Uncle Damian Mandola developed a plan for a new Italian
restaurant. They opened the first Carrabba’s in December of
that year. Many of the recipes on the menu are authentic and belong
Damian’s grandmother, Grace Mandola and Johnny’s mother,
Rose. Both Damian and Johnny have extensive restaurant experience
and belong to one of Houston’s most successful restaurant families.
Rose Carrabba is Johnny’s mother. Although Rose retired some
time ago, she can still be found working at the Carrabba’s Woodway
location. She is a devoted mother and grandmother whose influence
is felt in the dining experience at Carrabba’s.
Damian founded Damian’s Cucina Italiana as the fine dining successor
to Damian’s, which he first opened as a college senior. He and
Johnny opened Carrabba’s in response to their perceived need
for casual dining and entertainment style Italian restaurant. In November
2000, Damian and Johnny opened their newest concept Pesce, a premier
seafood restaurant. The name is derived from their Italian roots,
but the menu includes many recipes from the Mediterranean to Creole-Gulf
coast and even some Asian influences.
High standards and a passion for flavorful food and warm hospitality
are the ingredients that have made Carrabba’s a national success.
The Carrabba’s share this success by being very involved in
the Houston community, especially in ways that benefit children.
Don’t miss the chance to meet Damian Mandola, Johnny Carrabba,
and Rose Carrabba in person at “ Cooking with the Carrabba’s.”
This program will take place during Family to Family Network’s
2003 Fundraiser, Celebrating the Magic of All Children. More information
about the fundraiser that will honor the Carrabba’s and benefit
F2F is listed in this newsletter.
If
you need information please contact
Melissa
Steed at 713-466-6304 or melissasteed@familytofamilynetwork.org
