Our story

Our story

The story of Rondanini is one of ongoing
passion, commitment and adaptation.

It began in 1989

The UK was experiencing growth in demand for quality Italian food. In particular charcuterie such as Parma Ham and Salami Milano, was highly sought after. One of Italy’s leading charcuterie producers was Luigi Rondanini SPA, Milan, run by Gianni and his wife Dada.Gianni and Dada realised there was an opportunity to be had to export their beloved charcuterie to the UK. They began searching high and low for someone who could do just this, eventually finding Dante De Vito, an Italian who had spent three decades working in the British food industry.

It began in 1989

It wasn’t long before Dante, his wife and his two sons Adriano and Jay became well-known and respected for their quality produce, excellent service and good prices, selling cured meats under the Rondanini UK brand. So much so, the family extended their range to include continental cheeses, fresh and dry pasta, olive oils and vinegars.Today, Rondanini is considered one of the most important player in the UK food market.
We are a trusted partner to many major UK retailers and important restaurant chains, supplying them with branded and own-label foods, and foodservice ingredients.
We also own the majority stake in our sister company, Salvo1968.

It is still a delicious adventure, and we never want it to stop.
1989
Delicious idea

Gianni Rondanini and Dante & Adriano
De Vito have an idea to sell delicious charcuterie made in Milano. They call their business Rondanini UK.

1991
Family company

Bringing buckets of passion and expertise,
Dante’s son Jay De Vito decides to join the family company.

1991
Family company

Bringing buckets of passion and expertise,
Dante’s son Jay De Vito decides to join the family company.

2001
New direction

Co-Founders Gianni & Dada Rondanini choose to sell their interest in Rondanini to the De Vito family, to let them take it in a new direction.

2006
Partnerships

In pursuit of the best pasta, De Vito family merges with Italfresco, a leading Italian importer of fresh and ambient pasta.
In 2007 it goes into partnership with a respected pasta company, Voltan SPA in Venice, to buy the minority share of another fresh pasta producer, Giordani SPA. It brings exciting additional layers to their business.

2008
Food Service

Extending their expertise of Italian food service, the Rondanini UK team takes over three London branches of Amano Cafes, all-day-dining spots specialising in flatbreads and pizza. They also buy all three branches of Bella Vita Restaurants.

2008
Food Service

Extending their expertise of Italian food service, the Rondanini UK team takes over three London branches of Amano Cafes, all-day-dining spots specialising in flatbreads and pizza. They also buy all three branches of Bella Vita Restaurants.

2011
Distribution

An important couple of years for Rondanini UK as it acquires the majority share of Salvo 1968, a leading Italian food distributor to the restaurant trade, as well as the independent trading arm of Fine Italian Foods.

2015
Europe and USA

Always looking to improve the range of pasta, Rondanini UK partners with Voltan again to buy the premium quality fresh pasta producer, Antica Pasteria in Milan. This expands their export market to clients in Europe and the USA.

2017
Brand new group

After several successful partnerships, it is now the right time for Rondanini UK to merge with Voltan Italy to form a new, forward-thinking, family-run holding company, Vita Food Group Ltd. This is where we are today.

2019
Manchester Manufacturing

We acquired a food manufacturing and distribution facility in Trafford Park, Manchester.
The site produces: pizza dough, fresh pizza, and meal kit solutions.

2019
Manchester Manufacturing

We acquired a food manufacturing and distribution facility in Trafford Park, Manchester.
The site produces: pizza dough, fresh pizza, and meal kit solutions.

2020
Chef Brand

Chef Brand was created in partnership to develop innovative food concepts in conjunction with well-known international chefs. The company has exclusive partnership agreement with Jamie Oliver to produce fresh Italian foods under his brand.