At Italiano Please!, food is more than just a meal—it’s a gateway to inclusion, empowerment, and connection. This family-run social enterprise specializes in authentic Roman cuisine while proudly redefining what it means to run a socially impactful business.
Italiano Please! is proof that delicious food and meaningful work can go hand in hand.
Barbara Lee, co-founder of Italiano Please!, and her family started the restaurant after relocating to Calgary in 2021. Their mission is deeply personal. Inspired by their experiences in Italy, where they operated a cooperative for young people with disabilities, Barbara and her family wanted to recreate a business model that not only celebrates Roman culinary traditions but also serves marginalized communities.
Today, at least 50% of the staff at Italiano Please! are drawn from two key groups: people with disabilities and LGBTQ++ individuals. The goal? To provide employees with valuable skills and training that prepare them for long-term careers, whether at Italiano Please! or beyond. Barbara proudly describes their efforts: “We really try to be involved in the community and show employers how not hard it is to be inclusive. It’s not difficult to create a welcoming, accommodating workplace for everyone.”
From their early days, Italiano Please! has been a proud member of the Social Innovation Hub, a space dedicated to supporting socially driven entrepreneurs. Reflecting on this connection, Barbara said: “Social innovation is really what we’re all about. The hub has been instrumental in helping us grow, offering expert advisors, resources, and an incredible community that inspires us to keep pushing forward.”
Italiano Please! doesn’t stop at offering employment opportunities. They are actively addressing food security through innovative initiatives. “Part of our training program focuses on food recovery and maximizing the use of available food,” Barbara explains. By teaching their employees these practices, the restaurant not only minimizes waste but also contributes to the ideal of dignified access to food—ensuring everyone can enjoy nutritious, well-prepared meals.
Their commitment to food recovery extends to partnerships with local food banks, where surplus ingredients are transformed into delicious creations that are donated back to the community. Barbara sums it up beautifully: “Food should be enjoyed by all, regardless of their circumstances.”
At its core, Italiano Please! offers a culinary experience that stays true to its Roman roots. Unlike many restaurants that alter recipes to suit local tastes, Barbara and her husband Lucio Petrini maintain the authenticity of every dish. “Roman cuisine is simple, with just a few ingredients that speak for themselves,” Barbara says. “Nothing goes to waste in Roman cooking, and that’s a life lesson we pass on to our staff.”
Despite its size, Italiano Please! is making a big impact. The team is currently scaling operations to meet growing demand, with hopes of expanding to larger spaces and eventually franchising their Roman tray pizza concept. The goal is to create more inclusive opportunities, allowing other families and communities to replicate their model of success.
As a Social Innovation Hub member, Italiano Please! has embraced the hub’s collaborative environment to further its mission. Barbara explains, “The hub has given us access to expert advisors, legal support, and even franchising guidance. We’ve also benefited from the encouragement and inspiration of being surrounded by other socially conscious businesses.”
To Barbara and the staff at Italiano Please!, every meal served represents a step toward inclusion, empowerment, and connection. Their mission is a testament to the transformative power of food and the possibilities of socially driven entrepreneurship. So, whether you’re savouring a slice of Roman tray pizza or learning about their journey, one thing is clear: Italiano Please! is changing lives—one dish at a time.