Head chef Silvana Degrezia is a native of Naples, Italy, whose family has been in the restaurant business for generations. Family and friends back in the Old Country, literally grew up in her families’ eateries.

Renowned for both her gnocchi and meatballs, Silvana’s life has always revolved around Old World cooking, culture, and family values. Her sons Tony and Giangio, as well as her nephew Gianluca, are all part of the Mamma Mia! family. Now that’s family tradition!

Silvana’s brother-in-law, Gino, fell in love with North Carolina when he visited back in the 1960s. After moving here, he entered the Pizza War contest in 1982 and captured first place. He didn’t really want to enter the contest the next year, but was convinced to defend his title. When the other five entrants heard that he was going to compete again, they all withdrew from the contest! Raleigh News & Observer food critic Greg Cox wrote of Gino’s pizza, “If you pine for Old World flavor, Gino’s is it… pizza worth traveling for.” Gino convinced the other members of the Mamma Mia! family to move to North Carolina from New York City, and in 2004, they opened for business at the Apex location and will be adding a Raleigh location soon.