NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A music artist is capitalizing on her culinary talents and bottling the flavors of Italy, right here in Nashville.

Gina Sicilia is a singer-songwriter with 11 studio albums to her name. In 2020, though, restrictions on performances put her music on pause.

Sicilia then turned to another passion: cooking Italian cuisine.

She said it was a process of trial and error in her East Nashville apartment kitchen. Sicilia said she leaned on what she learned from her parents.

Sicilia started sharing her creations online and her audience took interest. She began to see the beginnings of a business.

“I saw some packages of to-go containers, and I thought, those would be perfect for selling meals in the neighborhood or online for delivery," said Sicilia. "So, I bought them."

She started selling packaged meals.

"I came up with a company name and I announced: 'I’m excited to announce Gina’s Italian Cuisine!'"

Sicilia said she sold out immediately and the rest is history.

She started working farmer's markets and catered events, sometimes singing for the crowd, too! Then, she found a co-packer in Lebanon who started bottling her sauces.

Her line grew to three flavors; plus, pasta! Her products are currently in four Publix locations, all locations of the Turnip Truck Market, and on Amazon.

Now, she’s rebranding and expanding.

“My vision is to have a whole line of Keto friendly, healthy, better-for-you Italian food products from sauces, to pastas, soups, frozen meals, grab-and-go, dessert, snacks, you name it," said Sicilia. "Anything that is Italian, but low carb.” 

Gina's Italian Cuisine is now Gina's Skinny Italian.

Sicilia said her products are coming soon to Kroger in Middle Tennessee and stores like Sperry’s Mercantile and Roy’s Meat Service. She is also working with a distributor to expand nationwide.

Her ambition has led to accolades including the Excellence In Entrepreneurship Award (Nashville Arts and Business Council, 2023), Nashville Emerging Leader (2024), and the Woman To Watch Award (Donelson Hermitage Chamber Of Commerce, 2024).

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/from-singing-to-sauce-making-nashville-entrepreneur-enters-culinary-market/