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Rosanna Scotto AND Jenna Ruggerio they learned the secret of running a successful family restaurant: teamwork.
Rosanna Scottobest known for her Emmy Award-winning role as co-host Good morning, New York and WNYW-Fox 5 and her daughter, Jenna Ruggerio are co-owners Scott’s fresco in New York. Rosanna’s mother, Marion Scotto, affectionately generally known as “Mama Scotto,” nurtured the family’s initial ambition to create a culinary haven in New York’s ever-competitive restaurant scene.
The initial obstacle was skepticism from the owner, who doubted the family’s ability to succeed in the restaurant industry. The probabilities of success were high, but with a family tree filled with connections, the Scotts took up the challenge and pressed on.
“We were very motivated to show people that we could do it,” Scotto tells the Restaurant Influencers host Shawn Walchef With California BBQ Media.
The turning point got here just a week into their enterprise. Ruth Reichlesteemed New York Times food critic, walked through the doors of Fresco by Scotto.
What happened next was a brainstorming session.
Reichl awarded the fledgling restaurant two stars, a significant distinction at the time that effectively put it on the map. Rosanna beams as she says: “People came from everywhere… There were lines out the door.” The review caused a frenzy, turning the restaurant into a must-visit overnight spot. Years later, the baton was taken over by the lone member of the next generation who works in the family business, Scotto’s daughter, Jenna Ruggiero.
Having worked in the entertainment industry, Rugerrio brings a deep understanding of contemporary marketing, especially the power of social media. Ruggierio’s efforts did greater than just highlight haute cuisine. It also created a vigorous, inviting atmosphere, complete with dancing and joyful gatherings, inviting audiences around the world to experience the magic of Fresco by Scotto.
“Instagram can be a really valuable tool,” Jenna notes that she uses social media to promote her restaurant. “When I started working here two years ago, we had 25,000 followers on Instagram, and that number has grown to 70,000. We have a lot of customers who see us on Instagram from all over the states, all over the world.”
The Scotto family’s commitment extends beyond the restaurant partitions and into the very fabric of the New York community. Their deep-rooted ties to the city are evident in their heartfelt philanthropy, especially their support for God’s love that we deliver. Every October, the family hosts a colourful lunch from which all proceeds are donated to this essential organization.
Scotto passionately describes the cause: “God’s love that we provide began many years ago as a rescue for people suffering from AIDS and food deprived. They were homeless. They couldn’t get out, they couldn’t feed themselves.” Today, the organization serves a broader spectrum of New Yorkers in need by providing meals to the city’s most vulnerable residents.
From overcoming skepticism and gaining critical acclaim, to leveraging social media and giving back to its community, the story of Fresco by Scotto is not only about the restaurant. It’s a testament to the spirit of a welcoming family that thrives on turning challenges into triumphs, one delicious meal at a time.
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