07/23/2026
My name is Cathy Paliotta, and I’m the founder of Cucina di Catherina, a premium Italian sauce company built from generations of family tradition, unwavering faith, and the determination to honor my mother’s legacy.
My business began with my mom Cheryl’s authentic Sunday Gravy recipe—a recipe that brought our family around the table every Sunday after church. It wasn’t just dinner; it was love, family, laughter, and tradition in a pot. Today, every jar is still made with those same values.
Our sauce is crafted with premium ingredients: DOP-certified San Marzano tomatoes from Italy, California vine-ripened tomatoes, hot Italian sausage, fresh garlic, onions, basil, wine, extra-virgin olive oil, and absolutely no seed oils or added sugar. It’s authentic Italian cooking—the real deal. The response has been overwhelming. People often tell me one bite reminds them of their Nana, grandmother, or mom, and many have become emotional because it brings back treasured family memories.
Over the years, I’ve had incredible opportunities to grow the brand. Early on, I sold my sauce to the staff at Dave Ramsey, back when there were only about 90 employees. Years later, I had the privilege of returning to Ramsey Solutions to serve approximately 950 employees—a full-circle moment that reminded me how far God has brought this business.
I’ve also been featured on The Rhode Show – In the Kitchen (WPRI), The Paul Santos Show, the Women’s Expo, St. Mary’s Feast, Columbus Day on Federal Hill, and the Home Show. I’ve sold at countless festivals and farmers markets throughout Rhode Island and Tennessee, building a loyal customer base one sample at a time.
At one point, Cucina di Catherina was carried in approximately 40 stores across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Because I self-distribute, keeping every location stocked has been one of my biggest challenges. My next major goal is securing distribution through KEHE and UNFI so retailers like Publix—which has already shown interest—can more easily carry our products and introduce them to families across the country.
I’ve also been incredibly blessed by people who believed in my dream. Television personality Kathie Lee Gifford shared my business with her social media audience, and actor Martin Kove, best known for Cobra Kai, had the opportunity to try my sauce as well.
Like many entrepreneurs, my journey hasn’t been easy. A little over a year ago, I lost my mother, Cheryl—the inspiration behind my business and the woman who taught me how to cook with love. Losing her changed my life forever, but it also strengthened my commitment to carry on her legacy. Every jar I sell is a tribute to her life and to the countless Sunday dinners that shaped our family.
Throughout every challenge, God has remained faithful. He has opened doors I never imagined, provided opportunities when I couldn’t see a way forward, and reminded me that perseverance, faith, and purpose can turn a simple family recipe into something that impacts lives.
My dream is much bigger than building a successful food company. I want to preserve family traditions, create jobs, encourage other entrepreneurs who feel like giving up, and remind people that some of life’s greatest blessings are born out of love, loss, and faith. If one jar of sauce can bring a family back around the dinner table or remind someone of the person they miss most, then I’m doing exactly what I believe God called me to do.
