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Madelyn Alfano, one of California’s most successful restaurant owners, believes that food is not just a necessity or pleasure, but a lifelong passion. Inspired by her parents and life in a large Italian family, Madelyn blends the finest ingredients, traditions and new ideas with the best aspects of family life to create a truly unique dining experience at Maria’s Italian Kitchen.
A native of Hoboken, New Jersey, Madelyn worked in her parents Italian deli while still a young girl. After graduating from UCLA in 1979, Madelyn worked at her parents’ Village Mart in Brentwood, Calif., with the vision of opening a true sit down "Trattoria" like those found in rural Italy. In 1980, Madelyn began her first solo venture when she opened International Meat and Deli Market across the street from the Village Mart. In l985, she opened her first Maria’s Italian Kitchen in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
With headquarters in Van Nuys, Calif., and more than 400 employees, Maria’s Italian Kitchen is among the leading privately owned restaurant chains in the state. Today, there are 10 Maria’s Italian Kitchens, including the newest locations, Maria’s Downtown located in the financial district of downtown Los Angeles and her new concept store, Maria’s Express, a venue designed for customers on the go in the heart of Los Angeles. With every community Madelyn joins, she offers healthy, quality food with hospitable service in a casual yet elegant and friendly atmosphere.
Madelyn is deeply involved with and sits on the boards of numerous charities and nonprofit organizations. These include Shane’s Inspiration and the Max Reitzin Memorial Fund. Madelyn sponsors the Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon, Los Angeles County Science Fair and the Culinary Arts Program. She is also the president of the Los Angeles County Education Foundation.
In addition, she is an active professional, serving as a board member of both the Statewide California Restaurant Association and its Los Angeles Chapter. She is on the Los Angeles Board of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), and in 2002 was invited to become a member of Young Presidents’ Organization. She was inducted into the NAWBO-LA Hall of Fame in March 2004. Madelyn has been on the list of Top 50 Women Business Owners in Los Angeles for the past eight years and in 2004, was chosen as one of the Top 25 Enterprising Women in Los Angeles. In 2007, the Los Angeles Business Journal named her Business Owner/CEO of the Year at its annual Women Making a Difference Award.
Madelyn graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Encino, is married to Dr. Jeffrey Tucker, a successful chiropractor, and has three children, Nicolas, 16 years; Josh, 20 years, and Danielle, 20 years.
A native of Hoboken, New Jersey, Madelyn worked in her parents Italian deli while still a young girl. After graduating from UCLA in 1979, Madelyn worked at her parents’ Village Mart in Brentwood, Calif., with the vision of opening a true sit down "Trattoria" like those found in rural Italy. In 1980, Madelyn began her first solo venture when she opened International Meat and Deli Market across the street from the Village Mart. In l985, she opened her first Maria’s Italian Kitchen in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
With headquarters in Van Nuys, Calif., and more than 400 employees, Maria’s Italian Kitchen is among the leading privately owned restaurant chains in the state. Today, there are 10 Maria’s Italian Kitchens, including the newest locations, Maria’s Downtown located in the financial district of downtown Los Angeles and her new concept store, Maria’s Express, a venue designed for customers on the go in the heart of Los Angeles. With every community Madelyn joins, she offers healthy, quality food with hospitable service in a casual yet elegant and friendly atmosphere.
Madelyn is deeply involved with and sits on the boards of numerous charities and nonprofit organizations. These include Shane’s Inspiration and the Max Reitzin Memorial Fund. Madelyn sponsors the Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon, Los Angeles County Science Fair and the Culinary Arts Program. She is also the president of the Los Angeles County Education Foundation.
In addition, she is an active professional, serving as a board member of both the Statewide California Restaurant Association and its Los Angeles Chapter. She is on the Los Angeles Board of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), and in 2002 was invited to become a member of Young Presidents’ Organization. She was inducted into the NAWBO-LA Hall of Fame in March 2004. Madelyn has been on the list of Top 50 Women Business Owners in Los Angeles for the past eight years and in 2004, was chosen as one of the Top 25 Enterprising Women in Los Angeles. In 2007, the Los Angeles Business Journal named her Business Owner/CEO of the Year at its annual Women Making a Difference Award.
Madelyn graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Encino, is married to Dr. Jeffrey Tucker, a successful chiropractor, and has three children, Nicolas, 16 years; Josh, 20 years, and Danielle, 20 years.