1. La cucina La cucina s.r.l. Via Guglielmo Oberdan, 17 46100 Mantova Tel. 0376 1513735 info@lacucina-mantova.it www.lacucina-mantova.it info@lacucina-mantova.it

2. History... La Cucina opened on November 11, 2011 in Mantova, in Via Oberdan 17. The restaurant is located in a historic building in Mantova. The project developed a culinary workshop, which makes La Cucina unconventional as a restaurant. La Cucina also offers take-away service ( and sells some of the dishes it prepares.)

3. Interviewed and interviewers... May 4, 2013 Interviewed : Interviewers: Giulia Fazzi, Cecilia Valentini, Camilla Zangrossi

4. Interview... “What made ​​you decide to be an entrepreneur?” “After attending secondary school, I did two years at university studying economics, but then I dropped out and decided to invest on my potentialities. I’m glad I did: I could not do any other job.” What was difficult at first? Which skills do you feel as necessary to succeed in this job? There have been many difficulties to overcome, especially bureaucratic ones, before actually being able to open the restaurant. ( Camera di Commercio...). This investment has involved many sacrifices from both my family and me. The only necessary skill to succeed is passion for cooking. In fact you do not have to have any qualifications: you learn by doing. “ ”Renunciations? Faced with the difficulties have you ever thought to give up?” "Never, I never thought of giving up although the renunciations were a lot! “

5. “The current situation compared to the early days? How much and how does it affect the crisis?” “We are working hard, but of course the crisis is serious: customers tend to go out to eat less than they used to. I have to work longer hours to earn as much as I used to : in one day’s work I earn what I used to earn in just two hours. Today, I have to work in the kitchen from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. “ “Relationship with employees ?” I have a good team working with me. They are all young people who learnt the skills by working in the kitchen. None of them has professional qualifications. Passion and determination, not qualifications are the key to success in our business. “ Which are your plans and expectations for the future? “ We are planning to increase the take-away service. Then, I would like to find some time to study and attend courses so as to learn new culinary skills. One more dream I have is to open a restaurant in a country cottage. “Further improvement of the activity?” "As for an expansion of business I would like to develop the appearance of the takeaway, which we have already begun. "

6. Questions What has been the increment of the gross receipts? What has been the growth of the net income? What has been your political marketing process? How did the economical crisis effect your business?