"mmmmmmmmmmm Salt-A-Roni"
Posted on 10/22/2007 2:09:31 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Vincent DeDomenico, a pasta maker who paid homage to his hometown when he invented the Rice-A-Roni side dish, has died at age 92, his family said.
Along with his brothers, DeDomenico, the son of Italian immigrants, created the packaged blend of rice and pasta during the early 1960s. It became known as "the San Francisco treat" through television advertisements that featured a catchy jingle and cable cars.
After the brothers sold the Golden Grain Macaroni Co. to Quaker Oats in 1986, DeDomenico bought 21 miles of railroad track in Napa Valley and several vintage passenger cars that he put to use as a tourist attraction featuring rides through wine country.
"He was a dreamer," Mildred DeDomenico, 87, said of her late husband, who was at his side when he died Thursday. "He always had all these plans. He'd write them down on pieces of paper. He was a man who could never retire."
Born in San Francisco in 1915 as the fourth of six children, DeDomenico went to work for his father's dry pasta company after high school as a salesman while taking night business classes at Golden Gate College.
He and his brothers assumed control of the company after their father's death and helped seal its success with the signature Rice-A-Roni. They also bought the Ghirardelli Chocolate Co., and sold both it and Golden Grain Macaroni to Quaker Oats for a reported $300 million.
His daughter, Marla Bleecher, said that while her father worked until the day before he died, he also relished traveling abroad with his family and spending time at his Sacramento Valley cattle ranch.
"We would always laugh because he would ride around the ranch in his Cadillac," Bleecher said. "He drove that car like it was a Jeep. You wouldn't want to be in the car with him."
Along with his wife, Mildred, DeDomenico is survived by his four children, Michael DeDomenico, Vicki McManus, Marla Bleecher and Vincent DeDomenico Jr., and seven grandchildren.
A public memorial has been scheduled for 4 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Napa Valley Wine Train station, 1275 McKinstry St., Napa.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
“the San Francisco treat”
Once upon a time that was a selling point!
“I was in Miami interviewing with a job for Rice-a-roni”
BUMP
The great thing about Rice-A-Roni is that there are a zillion different flavors. You can have it two or three times a week, and with all the different varieties it never gets boring. RIP Mr. DeDomenico. You created one of the truly great American brands!
Rice A Roni - The Original San Franciscan Treat
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
On the playground many years ago, we used to sing, “Tastes like dirty feet!”
Yeah and what gets me is they need a 6”x4” box to hold product that a box 1/3 the size would hold.
Not to rain on his parade, but people in SF don’t seem to eat that stuff. I lived there for a long time and didn’t eat it once.
It tastes ok, but is very salty.
if it weren’t for R-a-R, those of us with little cooking ability would’ve starved to death.
Condolences to his family and friends on their loss.
You probably think that Mexicans are supposed to eat Tacos, too.
zatarain’s....and they just lowered the salt. haven’t tried it yet though.
*Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco treat!
Rice-a-Roni, everybody’s got the beat ...
Started out where cable cars play their song,
Then tried at home before very long ...
Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco treat!*
~~~
One of my favorites. My artichoke Rice-A-Roni salad is a hit every time I make it.
When I went broke a few years ago and hadn’t a dime to my name (and still don’t), I made my own Rice-A-Roni - I missed it that much. And it’s a skill I still employ on occasion!
Rest in Peace, Mr. DeDomenico and thank you!
This looks like a Freeper Kitchen Ping
Anyone good with the graphics want to come up with something for the pings? You will be publically thanked. ;-)
(That’s a cool Freeper page list of Asian films.....I’m glad to see Tokyo Story and Qiu Ju on the list.)
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