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Celeste Lizio was born in San Angelo, Italy
Widely referred to by its former name Mama Celeste. The brand's slogan was abbondanza which means abundance in Italian.Product was named after Celeste Lizio who carried the nickname "Mama Celeste". -
Celeste and her husband Anthony came to the United States form Italy.
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Mama Celeste pizza has been around.
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Celeste and Athony settled on Chicago's West Side where they opened their 1st restaurant.
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The Lizio's closed down their restaurant and began selling pizza to other restuarants.
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Anthony Lizio(Celeste's husband) died.
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The Quaker Oats company aquired their product.
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Celeste frozen pizzas were the top selling brand but experienced declines.
The Celeste brand was later aquired by Aurora Foods and then Pinnacle foods. Distribution is restricted to more regional markets.Pizza flavors include original, pepperoni, sausage, 4 cheese, zesty 4 cheese, italian meatball, deluxe and supreme. -
Celeste has become a staple in Chicago, Califiornia, Florida and the northeastern United States.
Celeste pizzas have become a local sensation. The picture of "Mama Celeste" on every box attests to the commitment of her original promise of homemade, authentic Italian pizza. -
When Mama Celeste died, she was survived by her daughter, four sons, 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Celeste died of complications from a heart ailment.