A Sit Down With Gene Todaro and Hunter Moody of CuGino, Part One

A stranger in a Pueblo cafe hears the name “Todaro” and replies, “Don Calogero.” In a heartbeat, Gene’s family lore tilts from mystery to revelation, and what begins as a search for relatives becomes a tour of Prohibition-era Colorado, early Las Vegas watchmen, and the way immigrant networks quietly shaped American towns. We follow that thread back to Palermo, where a boy counts 44 steps down to the markets, learns ingredients by touch, and stores away recipes he never writes—just lives.We explore how Gene’s parents chose a different path, refusing the underworld as they rebuilt after World War II. Birthright citizenship opened the door back to the United States, and school became the anchor. Teachers stacked his schedule with math and science so language wouldn’t slow him down. Draft orders came next, but instead of Vietnam, he served as a medic at the world’s largest burn hospital—an experience that taught composure, care, and stamina. Those lessons later shaped his jump from accounting and an MBA to the relentless rhythm of a Dallas seafood restaurant.When Lafayette called, Gene found a city rich in Cajun flavor but hungry for Italian crafted with Sicilian restraint: fresh, simple, honest. He wasn’t chasing pizza trends; he was bringing Palermo’s markets to Acadiana plates. Along the way, he reconnects dots across Texas, Louisiana, and Buffalo—relatives, rumors, and realities—without romanticizing the cost. The heart of the story is choice: which legacies to honor, which to leave behind, and how food can turn memory into a life’s work.Join us for a gripping, generous conversation that blends family history, culinary philosophy, and the surprising ways identity is forged. If this story moved you, subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show.The podcast was made possible through partnerships with Rouses Supermarket, Logic Refrigeration HVAC, Cajun Table, Vermilionville, Soul Haus Kitchen, Chris Logan Media, and Sunday Soda Fountain – proving that when a community rallies around celebrating local food culture, amazing things happen. Subscribe now to join this delicious adventure and become part of the movement that's transforming Lafayette's food scene one bite at a time!learn more: foodiesoflafayette.comSocial MediaFacebookInstagramYouTube