2008 40 Under 40 Honoree: Nicola Gilardi

Gilardi, who came to America from Italy in 1993 via New York City, with $600 in his pocket and a dream to open his own restaurant, said that after his family and his restaurant, he’s most proud of recently obtaining his U.S. citizenship.

“Becoming an American citizen, I now have citizenship of the two best countries in the world,” Gilardi says. “You can make a good life for yourself with good work ethics and determination.”

Gilardi likes to see success in his employees as well, even if that takes them away from him.

“To me, my employees are like birds,” Gilardi said. “They stay in the nest, and when they are ready to fly away, they fly away, but if they want to, they can come back. ‘You go and try,’ I say. ‘If you like it, be a success, but if you need to come back, come back.’”

The attitude gives him a loyal and stable staff and he takes pride in the lawyers, executive chefs and business owners who once worked for him.

“I enjoy teaching young people how to run a business and a good, strong kitchen,” Gilardi says. “Your leadership skills have to be very nearly perfect to run a good restaurant business and have employees who want to succeed with you.”

Gilardi puts his time into civic affairs as well. He has been on the board and helped in fundraising for The Parenting Life Skill Center for three years. He has donated private dinners to raise money for The Kitchen and often helps other organizations including Ozarks Public Television, the YMCA and Springfield’s parks.

“I have always enjoyed helping out with the arts in Springfield,” he says, citing work on behalf of fundraisers for the Springfield Art Museum. “I enjoy being able to use my talent as a chef to help these organizations raise money so they can help others in need. It affects all of us.”

Gilardi’s got plenty of plans to keep busy.

“I would like to open another restaurant location, create a children’s cooking program and teach healthier eating habits for young people,” he says. “I would also like to spend more time with the Parenting Life Skill Center, and most importantly, I would like to spend more time with my three sons,” he says.

Double Play

Birth date: July 26, 1968

Family: I have a wonderful wife. She is my best friend and business partner. I have three sons that I am so very proud of and love very much. J.R. — who I would call my bonus son rather then stepson — is a very good kicker for Glendale and is doing well with culinary (studies) at OTC. Nic is a beautiful and sweet boy who enjoys acting and singing. Tomaso is 2, and well, let’s just say he’s very polite and wild. I feel very lucky to have the family that I have.

Philosophy to live/work by: Have respect for yourself and treat others as you would want to be treated. Loyalty and trust are most important to me personally and in business.

In a fantasy world, which professional sport would you play? Hockey. I played for 11 years in Italy, tried to play in Springfield, but I have a bulging disc. I love the excitement and fast movement of the game, and I love to ice skate.

Information accurate at the time of the honor.[[In-content Ad]]