Piergallini’s stepping away from St. Florian

WINTERSVILLE -- During the past 35 years, Todd Piergallini has been witness to many of life's greatest moments here in the Tri-State Area.

As a leading caterer in the area and exclusive caterer for St. Florian Hall for 20 of those 35 years, Piergallini has witnessed weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, graduations and awards ceremonies. He and his business partner for the past 10 years, his oldest daughter Kassandra Doughty, announced they will be leaving St. Florian.

It seems so many people are already mourning the loss of Piergallini's catering.

"We put the post up on Facebook and had 200 comments in the first 24 hours," he said.

Piergallini is not just known for his food, but also for his artistic flair and kind heart.

With all the the special moments he has witnessed, Piergallini said he does have a favorite.

"No matter the cost of the wedding, watching the bride and her dad dance is wonderful," he said. "I always cut the cake myself because the order goes, cut the cake and then first dances. It's my favorite thing to watch. I like to be right there to see it."

For Piergallini and his family, catering has been in their blood in one way or another going all the way back to Italy, where his grandparents owned a small restaurant that they lived above. His parents, Lucille and Raymond, raised him on an Italian family farm near Smithfield where not only did they teach him how to cook but also the philosophy of working hard. He now has passed that work ethic on to his children and grandchildren.

"Six generations of food and hospitality services," he said.

Piergallini's parents also owned a grocery store where his catering first got noticed.

"Some woman's group was holding an event and they asked if we could cut and serve the food they ordered," he said. "I had one 'employee' and we dressed all in black. Next thing you know, someone else was asking, and we had to name our business. Piergallini Catering was born."

Piergallini said there has never been a dull moment in the catering business.

"It's never monotonous, every group is different," he said.

He noted that after 30 years, he is part artist and part therapist.

"Just by doing this for 30 years, you know what to say," he said.

Over the years his generous heart also led him to be part social worker.

"If someone walked in the door and didn't have the money they needed, I wouldn't charge them for all the labor and sell the food at wholesale," he said.

Piergallini said this change will allow him and his daughter to focus on other interests.

"I am very creative. I enjoy oil and acrylic painting," he said. "I am starting to get that itch."

Piergallini stated that Doughty is going to take a large page of this time off to focus on her family.

Both were thankful to Wintersville Fire and Rescue for entrusting them with the hall and allowing them total artistic freedom for many years.

Officials with Undo's Catering announced they are taking over the catering at the Wintersville hall beginning Jan. 1.

Piergallini's final event at St. Florian Hall will be the annual New Year's Eve party. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly and can be purchased at the website www.stflorianhall.com.