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

A house behind a tiny Lafayette restaurant once held a secret kitchen where a mother simmered sauces that would shape a city’s palate. From that backyard ingenuity to a French Quarter liquor store with the rare ability to sell both to-go and across the bar, Gene shares how grit, community, and a deep love for wine became the backbone of his restaurants. We walk through live-music nights at Time Plaza, the pivot that turned an oil bust into a wine education boom, and the mentorship ethos that helped five team members become sommeliers.Hunter brings the other side of the craft: the operational heartbeat learned from a family steeped in Outback, Chili’s, and high-end steakhouse leadership. He talks talent scouting, dishpit humility, and what it takes to keep a small kitchen precise under pressure. Together we unpack why Kujino doesn’t copy Marcello’s and how a focused menu can raise consistency, speed, and flavor. Expect Roman dishes like cacio e pepe and amatriciana, Sicilian favorites like pasta alla Norma and arancini, and a chicken piccata that proves restraint can be a superpower. There’s also talk of rotating specials—saltimbocca done right and a rabbit cacciatore that nods to heritage while speaking Lafayette’s language.Threaded through every story is wine: not as a pedestal, but as a conversation. Retail-friendly pricing invites guests to explore, smart pairing lifts the food, and a room humming at 7:30 reminds us why restaurants matter. If you care about Italian food, regional cooking, wine culture, and leadership that treats staff as partners, this one’s for you.Enjoy the stories, grab ideas for your own kitchen or team, and come hungry for more. If the episode resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves hospitality, and leave a quick review to help others find us.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