City Banqueting Hall Expands
By MATT ANTONACCI-Register Citizen Correspondent

TORRINGTON - Joseph Ricci says he turned his avocation into his profession when he opened the Cornucopia Banqueting Hall at 371 Pinewoods Road in the early '80s. The popular dining establishment was recently expanded to handle its growing client list.

Ricci had been a teacher in the Canton school system for over a decade when he turned his summer-time job into a full-time occupation. "I'd done sales and auditing work for a variety of hotels like the Sonesta in Hartford among others," he said. "I always enjoyed the challenges, the pressures and the teamwork of the hospitality business."

Ricci joined forces with his wife Marilyn to direct a Canton-based food service company in 1981.

"My wife is a registered dietitian who had enjoyed a successful career in the hospitality industry," he said. "History played itself out fast after we devised the Cornucopia Food Company."

The Riccis quickly built a state-wide client list that ranged from colleges to regional elderly nutrition programs.

The couple purchased the local banquet emporium in 1983. Since then, the Cornucopia has become Northwest Connecticut's largest banquet establishment. The new 1,800-sqare-foot addition has increased the facility's seat- ing capacity to over 400 people.

Joseph Ricci says Cornucopia's "marble floors, chandeliered ceilings and elegant appointments are not the reason for the business' success."

"We've always maintained a top-notch staff that can handle anything from small weddings to corporate affairs," he said. "We've also worked to keep our services affordable."

The Ricci's still have plans on the drawing board to expand Cornucopia's services.

"We love northwest Connecticut's business climate," said Joseph Ricci.