Bellisio began with passion. Passion for good food. For entrepreneurship and energy. For trying new things while sticking to a classic work ethic. And for working hard to make meal time easier.
Born from beauty. Bellisio's roots can be traced back over a century to our founder, Jeno Paulucci, and his parents, Italian immigrants who settled in Minnesota in the early 1900s. Ettore and Michelina Paulucci emigrated from Bellisio Solfare (Beautiful Sulfur), Italy, to the Iron Range of Northeastern Minnesota, a picturesque area with rolling hills, pristine lakes, and unspoiled forests.
Jeno sold Chun King to R.J. Reynolds for $63 million in 1966, and a new company was born: R.J. Reynolds Foods. With an eye on consumer food trends and eating habits, our visionary entrepreneur was already dreaming up a new product. Jeno’s Pizza Rolls were an instant success – the right product introduced at the right time. Quick, convenient and tasty, Pizza Rolls were the perfect complement to increasingly busy lifestyles. In 1985, Jeno sold Jeno's Pizza Rolls to Pillsbury.
People weren't slowing down, and the microwave was becoming an indespensible appliance. Jeno settled on a practical answer to an underserved market: microwaveable frozen Italian entrees. Providing convenience, value and great taste, the flagship brand was called Michelina’s, named after Jeno’s mother. Michelina's recreated her delicious, authentic recipes, and made Italian dinners easy for everyone. The new company, Luigino’s, would eventually become Bellisio Foods.
In 2007 the company name was changed to Bellisio Foods, Inc. The new name— “the beautiful foods company” —allowed for expansion beyond the Michelina’s brand and product line, and speaks to Jeno’s vision, the company's history, and inspiration for the future. Our name is a tribute to Jeno’s hometown of Bellisio Solfare, Italy, and also translates into English as “beautiful,” which aptly describes our company’s goals. We aim high, and we strive to achieve true beauty in our food, our day-to-day business, and the way we relate to the world around us.