Rising Stars: Meet Giovanni Bolla

Today we’d like to introduce you to Giovanni Bolla.

Hi Giovanni, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I came to Los Angeles and the United States in the 1960s and worked as a chef, maitre d and ultimately a caterer. My catering business was based in Los Angeles and in the 1980’s we were one of the best catering venues around. Unfortunately, in the early 1990s after the 1994 earthquake and subsequent recession, I lost my business. I ended up working in various restaurants around Los Angeles over the years and retired a few years back. In 2018 I was going through a divorce and tried to find work again but it was difficult at my older age.

My daughter decided to put a picture of the Tiramisu I made her for her birthday online and share my story and see if anyone may be interested in buying. At the time, I did not think much would happen but she called me the next day telling me I had orders for Tiramisu.

My entire life changed in 2019 at the age of 71, when my daughter helped start my small tiramisu business. I am very fortunate to now have a new business at my age, which I greatly enjoy and which fills me with something my life was missing for a long time: purpose.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I was very nervous at first because I have not worked for myself in so long. I was nervous to meet people. It may sound silly now, but I was worry people would consider me a “has been.” I also did not know how to text, use google maps, or operate any applications on my phone – this was very challenging at first. My daughter was helping me do deliveries and printing out MapQuest directions for me. She made me learn how to use Google and Gmail and everything most people today use for business. It was challenging for someone my age who has not used a computer or technology, but it has connected me with this century.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I was trained in fine dining, fine cooking, and in hotel school. My specialty was catering. Ironically, what my business is built on now (Tiramisu) was not something I specialized in. I made Tiramisu mostly for my daughter every year for her birthday. I made it out of love and for her to celebrate, and I think that’s why this is special – because I now have a new business making something I grew up making for celebrating my daughter. I now get to help other people celebrate which is rewarding!

The Tiramisu I make today is different than it was before and I’ve changed the recipe so it has a specific taste which is unique to “Giovanni’s Tiramisu.” My dear friend, Dina, was a pastry chef and she inspired me so much in work and in life. She passed away in 2014, and a few years ago she came to me in a dream and showed me how to make Tiramisu better. The recipe today is inspired by Isabelle and Dina.

I am proud that I have this small business to support myself. Being a senior citizen and not having friends, or work, or purpose can be very trying and hard to live with. This business has brought all of those things back into my life.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Hope is very important. We need it to survive. I think age is not a factor of success, but hope is. There were moments when I was struggling, and hope in something greater always kept me going.

I also think it is important to operate your life and business from a place of love and trust and not fear. When I make the Tiramisu, I am thinking good things. I am putting my love and energy into it and this transmutes into the ingredients and final product. Everything we do should come from this place.

I have also learned you can teach an old dog new tricks. I did not think I could text or use google, but now I do!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: giovannistiramisu.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/giovannistiramisu
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/giovannis-tiramisu-los-angeles-2?osq=tiramisu

Image Credits:
@giovannistiramisu @PrettyLittleFawn @itsnotheritsme @brewinghappiness