Gelati, Paperclips and Monaco

Vincent, my former husband, worked at the Sanson Ice Cream plant in Colognola ai Colli.  It was about 20 miles away down into the valley.  Vincent had been sent there to serve as Comptroller by Beatrice Foods a large American holding company who maintained a sizable interest in Gelati Sanson.  The plant was co-owned by Teofilo Sanson, its founder.  Sanson was a colorful and commanding individual.  He started out selling ice cream from a cart in 1948.  From those simple beginnings, he grew his company to become a major supplier of ice cream bars and cones. Part of his success was because he offered ice cream freezers to bars, cafes and restaurants all over Italy.  Once the freezer was installed, the bar or cafe was obliged to buy his ice cream. ( I’ve got a great story about this that I’ll tell you later!)

Teofilo was a fabulous cook and had a kitchen in the plant where he prepared meals for himself and the executive staff. He was passionate about soccer and later professional cycling. He is credited with being the first soccer team owner in Italy to display his company’s name on the shorts of his team.  

Sanson and his Udinese soccer team wearing the revolutionary shorts!

Like many entrepreneurs, Sanson wanted to maintain total control of his company as he had back when he was pushing an ice cream cart.  Vincent went head to head with him on many occasions. Teofilo liked having his men around him.  Thus Vincent was often gone from early  morning to late at night, working and dining with Sanson and his inner circle.

Vineyards around Colognola ai Colli which produce wines such as Valpolichella, Amarone and Soave.

A year or two later we all went to a global convention for Beatrice Foods executives in Monte Carlo.  The men attended meetings and the wives had a luncheon and a tour of Monaco.  I remember a lavish dinner in a large ball room.  We were all dressed in our finery and sipping champagne.  Then the CEO got up to give the key note address.  At one point he remonstrated the employees: “We must cut back on unnecessary expenses.  Don’t waste paperclips. They should be used again and again.”  What a joke!  Paperclips! These big wigs had flown in from all over the world. We were in Monte Carlo guzzling fine wine and eating lobster and caviar.  Paperclips? Really?

Beautiful Monaco

On that trip Sanson and his wife invited Vincent and me out for dinner.  I believe we drove across the border into Italy.  When we arrived at the restaurant, Teofilo marched right through the restaurant and into the kitchen.  He lifted the covers on the pots and pans and inspected the fowl and the fish. There was a discussion with the chef about what Sanson wanted and how it should be cooked!  After our meal and quantities of wine, we drove back along the Corniche Inférieure. Sanson was at the wheel and drove at breakneck speeds around the curves.  Somehow we didn’t land in the Mediterranean.

Princesse Grace of Monaco died when her car went off the Moyenne Corniche .