Inspiring Conversations with Steve Del Gardo of Del Gardo’s

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Del Gardo. 

Hi Steve, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Nine Years ago in 2012, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. It was a fluke that I got it since cancer does not run in my family. The hardest part was not hearing that I had cancer but what the Doctor told me after that statement… he stated that if I would have waiting another month to see him, he would have told me to get my Life in Order meaning that I would have been dead at 44 years old. I knew at that moment; God gave me a swift kick in the ass. After beating cancer, I started a foundation called Protect The Pecs to raise awareness that men can get breast cancer. I did that for 5 years by doing speeches at Universities, appeared in a global documentary called Pink & Blue, written 32 articles for breast cancer news, became a support navigator for men looking for emotional support through cancer. By 2018, my father stated that I should follow my dreams, life is too short. So, I decided to start a new business called Del Gardo’s Cannoli Bar in October 2018 in Covington, Kentucky. It is a place where people can come to enjoy a good cannoli, not just a cannoli but different flavors plus customers can choose to drink wine, local craft beers, or have a nice cup of cappuccino or espresso. It is a place where people can come with family and friends to enjoy life. It is a beautiful Life so make sure you love what you do. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Since opening the Cannoli Bar in 2018, it has been a roller coaster financially plus when Covid hit, it became very stressful. Seeing friends’ restaurants going out of business and not sure if I was going to make it. It was a tough year but I learned a lot. I witnessed a community that came together to support local businesses to make sure that the Cannoli Bar would not close and saw how the industry supported each other. There are good people out there. 

Personally, my health is going well. I just keep pushing forward. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Del Gardo’s?
So, people now call me The Cannoli Guy. I specialize in creating artisan cannoli and tiramisu. I have created over 125 flavors of cannoli from Black Raspberry Chip to Biscoff Cookie Butter to Spicy Plum Sake. Every week I create a new flavor. And just recently, Del Gardo’s became the official University of Cincinnati Bearcat Cannoli. Also, I do cannoli classes twice per week where a group of adults learn to pipe/decorate cannoli while drinking wine. Fun times! And I recently purchased a Del Gardo’s Cannoli Truck so I can expand the brand to other areas of the State. We do provide cannoli for weddings and we are always proud to give back to the community to certain foundations. 

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was always a shy kid growing up. I didn’t like talking to large groups of people. As a child, I was very creative, love drawing, building car and ship models, hanging out with friends, swimming at the pool and at the beach. But I also love to cook with family. I guess that is where I realized that I wanted to be a Chef. Loved to cook! 

I grew up in an Italian family. I had a great childhood. Great Family and Great friends. 

Pricing:

• $4 for Cannoli
• $12 for Specialty Tiramisu
• $40 per person for Cannoli Classes

Contact Info:

• Email: delgardoscannoli@delgardos.com
• Website: www.delgardos.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delgardoscannoli/
• Facebook: facebook.com/delgardoscannoli