Head chef Francesco becomes a part owner of La Casetta in New Bern
Francesco has been head chef since shortly after the restaurant opened in 2015. The website says the change keeps an owner present as founder Piero Passalacqua gives more time to Gemelli, a downtown deli.
Francesco started cooking in Carini, Sicily, in a pizza shop owned by Francesco's father. Today the head chef of La Casetta, the Italian restaurant on Neuse Boulevard in New Bern, is also a part owner, the restaurant's website says.
The history page ties the change to Gemelli Italian Deli & Bagelry, the downtown deli and bagel shop that opened in February 2025. As founder Piero Passalacqua gave more time to Gemelli, Francesco became a part owner so that La Casetta "would always have an owner present and actively involved in its day-to-day operations." The website does not say when the change took effect.
The new owner is family. Francesco earned two culinary degrees from the Institute of Higher Education "Ugo Mursia" in Sicily, the team page says. Francesco also worked with cousin Piero at La Casetta in Robersonville and then at La Casetta in Scotland Neck.
Francesco moved to New Bern in 2014. Shortly after the New Bern restaurant opened in 2015, the history page says, Piero invited Francesco to join as head chef and kitchen manager.
The kitchen is not the only handoff. The team page says Piero and Paula Passalacqua are beginning to step into retirement and passing the restaurant to their children. Giuliana, a daughter of Piero and Paula Passalacqua, has been general manager since September 2021. Rachael is bar manager.
Matteo, Giuliana's twin, moved full time to Gemelli as its general manager in February 2025. On some Friday and Saturday evenings, Matteo still works at La Casetta.
About this story
By Sotwire Desk. Written by Sotwire Desk from the sources below. Not a company attestation.
Sotwire Desk. Written by a named Sotwire editor from the sources cited below. Not a company attestation. Sotwire corrects errors publicly.
Key facts
- La Casetta New Bern
- New Bern, NC
- Company news
- Desk reported
- Sotwire Desk
- La Casetta, 2503 Neuse Blvd., New Bern, NC
- Francesco, from Carini, Sicily; the website does not give a surname
- Two culinary degrees from the Institute of Higher Education "Ugo Mursia" in Sicily
- Piero and Paula Passalacqua
- Giuliana, since September 2021
- Rachael
- Sun Journal 2025 Readers' Choice Awards "Best of the Best" New Bern; the site does not say in which category
- Robersonville, Bethel and Scotland Neck, each under separate owners, per the history page
Key events
- Giuliana became general manager of La Casetta New Bern
- Gemelli Italian Deli & Bagelry opened in downtown New Bern
- Matteo moved full time from La Casetta to Gemelli as general manager
Sources
- History of La Casetta · La Casetta · accessed 2026-10-17
- La Casetta New Bern team page · La Casetta · accessed 2026-10-17
- Our Story · Gemelli Italian Deli & Bagelry · accessed 2026-10-17