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First Posted: 11/24/2014
Two Old Forge Girls Catering consists of exactly that: a couple of childhood best friends of Italian descent skilled in the kitchen and full of personality. Rose Brutico-Fazio and Maria Augustine-Emily grew up together working in Maria’s family restaurant, a staple of the pizza and pasta world that is Old Forge. There, they learned that fresh is best, handmade means something and generous portions are a must.
“If there aren’t leftovers,” Rose explained, “I didn’t make enough.”
Maria learned this lesson early in her culinary career. Having been raised in a restaurant her parents opened in 1952, she took over the business in 1986.
“I was catering a dinner for a local trucking company,” she said. “I didn’t realize that the employees had it out for the owner who they considered stingy and miserable to work for. The guys made sure they didn’t eat breakfast or lunch that day and brought their appetites to the meal, hoping to get the most they could out of their boss. I ran out of food that day. Bottom line, it was a great lesson learned: Always make too much.”
Maria has made a name for herself in the Italian food community. She prides herself on fresh delicious entrees, 17 highly-acclaimed specialty pizzas and unique, healthy salads. Her restaurant, Augustine’s Club 17, located at 518 N. Main St. in Old Forge, is a neighborhood gathering place steeped in Italian-American heritage.
“Our fettuccine, gnocchi and ravioli are hand-made,” Maria said. “My 93-year-old Aunt Helen is in charge of making our fresh pasta dough. My son, Jake, makes the pizza dough daily.”
Spending time with Rose and Maria is similar to being in the presence of dynamic duos like Laverne and Shirley, Thelma and Louise or Hoda and Kathy Lee. Their banter is full of snark and humor. They constantly rib each other, always with a warm smile. Despite both being fiery Italian mamas who don’t shy away from telling each other like it is, their loyalty and devotion to each other is a rare and special thing.
“We’ve always been there for each other,” Rose explained. Her father’s family was Old Forge restaurateurs, owners of Brutico’s for many years.
“Before I started my family, I had a clothing boutique around the corner from Augustine’s, in the 80s and 90s,” Rose said. “I would help Maria out in the restaurant and she would come help me in the store. I can still picture us working for her parents back in high school, both of us tottering around on ridiculously high heels, trying to look cool.”
While Rose moved to Clarks Summit with her husband Joe to raise their four sons, Maria became a mother to one son and grew the family business. Shecontinued to operate the restaurant and also got her fresh pre-made pizzas into many local grocery stores. She catered luxury boxes for home games when the Red Barons played baseballl, as well as the annual amateur golf championship at Glenmaura National Golf Course.
One of her simplest and favorite events to cater is the make-your-own-pizza party. She came up with the concept when her son turned 5 years old and she filled the restaurant with his friends and their parents. Each table setting had fresh pizza dough and a variety of toppings. The children had a great time creating their own masterpieces and their parents had the luxury of sipping cocktails from the bar. It’s a fun family party she continues to offer today.
Meanwhile, Rose and Joe became deeply entrenched in the Abington community. Rose was classroom mother to all of her boys at one time or another. She didn’t miss a PTA meeting, organizing the yearbook for the elementary school and the annual pasta dinner PTA fundraiser. Rose now helps the high school band boosters, supporting the marching band so it can travel to competitions. When her sons showed interest in joining Odyssey of the Mind, she supported them by volunteering her home for meetings and her time to coach them. Joe stepped up to coach the junior football league and eventually took over the role of president of the league. When a second son wanted to try Odyssey, Joe took on a team, as well. Any night of the week, there could be multiple team meetings going on throughout the Fazio home.
Just when it seemed the house couldn’t get any busier, both of Rose’s elderly parents became ill and she moved them from their Old Forge home to her house. She, Joe and the four boys nursed and cared for them until they passed away close to a year ago. It was when Maria was catering Rose’s mother’s funeral reception that the two had the conversation about going into business together.
“I had always told Maria she should do more catering,” Rose said.
“So,” Maria added, “I told Rose, ‘Let’s make it happen.’”
Maria likes to be in the kitchen and touts her partner as the “people person” of the two, so Rose took over the responsibilities of meeting with potential clients, planning menus and setting up parties.
Catered dishes are delivered to clients’ homes or there is the option of using the restaurant, which seats 75 people. Popular dishes for these events include Chicken Francaise, Chicken Piccata and the signature Chicken Helena. Growing in popularity are healthy choices such as the Greek Kale Salad and the Strawberry Spinach Salad. Whole wheat or gluten free options are available and the ladies encourage clients to ask for something if they do not see it on their extensive menu. They offer free delivery of food trays and warming equipment. Their prices are competitive and their pans are filled generously.
“We can work with any budget,” Maria explained.
“We had a big chain store manager call us about Black Friday,” Rose explained. “He wanted to give his hard-working employees a complimentary meal to help them through that busy day. He wasn’t sure if he could afford real, fresh food or if he would have to just call for pizza delivery. We put together a nice menu of pastas, pizzas and hoagies that he can be proud of on a tight budget.”
Two Old Forge Girls Catering may be reached at at 570-510-4494.