About Us
Zia Pia is a boutique importer specializing in fine, authentic regional Italian foods. Our suppliers are non-industrial, family-owned producers who combine traditional principles of authenticity and flavor with Italian design and style to create superior products, beautiful on the inside and out.
“Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” – Federico Fellini
Zia Pia was born in 2013 out of Victoria Custodi’s love of great food and Italian culture.
Victoria, whose father was born in Puglia, and who has traveled extensively and lived throughout Italy, grew up appreciating the pure flavors of simple authentic Italian home cooking: real, fresh extra virgin olive oil, pasta, fresh garden vegetables. She named the company for her beloved aunt, or "Zia", Pia Custodi from Orvieto, Umbria. As extraordinary a woman as she was a cook, Pia seemingly effortlessly prepared her multi-course, hours-long meals from her tiny, 1950s-era kitchen and proudly served them, one dish at a time, to visiting family and friends. Today, Zia Pia aims to honor her memory and embody the values she held dear: simplicity, care, and quality ingredients.
Buon appetito!
Victoria has lived and traveled throughout Italy and has continuously been impressed by the Italian obsession with quality and pride in craftsmanship. Italian quality and design are behind every product that she hand selects, with a focus both on what’s inside - whether olive oil, tomato sauce or artisan pasta - and the aesthetics of the package design. Finding beauty in the every day seems to be a natural way of being in Italy, and in the Italian lifestyle. Personal connection and savoring simplicity in the midst of chaos may be what is behind the grounding and affirming rituals like “pausa pranzo.” Connecting with others over a plate of nourishing food is a daily reminder of the important things in life..
As we all get swept up in daily tasks, let’s stop and treat ourselves to a burst of beauty found right in the pantry...
...the bright, unmistakable flavor of authentic, fresh, extra virgin olive oil, the al dente bite of a steaming plate of pasta, the deep complexity of an aged balsamic… it’s all right here for us to enjoy, today. Zia Pia serves fine specialty gift, home and food retailers and restaurants, as well as home cooks everywhere. We look forward to sharing our foods with you.
“Even more than its Roman ruins or Renaissance art or the plain fact that lemons, tomatoes, and capers burst with more flavor on this boot-like stretch of Mediterranean soil than anywhere else on the planet, it’s the everyday life of Italy that makes it so addictive and extraordinary.” - Chris Bollen, Departures Magazine
Our team
Victoria Custodi
Founder
Victoria is half-Italian and grew up appreciating the pure flavors of simple authentic Italian home cooking. Zia Pia is the result of the combination of her greatest passions: great food, Italian heritage, travel and business. She believes in the nutritional and cultural value of these foods, the pleasures they bring and way of life they represent. It’s a way to honor the memory of her beloved Zia Pia from Orvieto, who was a continuous source of inspiration in the kitchen and in life.
Alessandra Addati
Administration
Originally from Naples, Italy, Alessandra brings her deep love for Italian culture, traditions, and cuisine to Charlotte through Zia Pia. With her unique attention to detail and commitment to quality, she manages daily operations, works closely with our Italian suppliers, and handles all administrative functions. Alessandra moved to the United States in 2016 with her husband and two children.
Suzanne Alston
Account Management
Suzanne is from Georgia where her love of food and cooking was inspired by watching her grandmother make biscuits from scratch. She first pursued a career in medicine but found she could not resist the pull of the kitchen and graduated from Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, NC. She loves all types of cuisine and finds inspiration across all tradition, though she may have a special fondness for Southern (her roots) and Italian (what she gets to do every day).
Laurel Evans
Creative Director
Laurel Evans is a cookbook author, recipe developer, blogger, and culinary guide based in Milan, Italy. Fully immersed in a foreign culture, she has discovered in food both a common language and a symbol of home. She brings to the team her love for Italian food and culture, as well her as extensive experience in digital communications and content creation.
Lily Clark
Account Management
A native of Charlotte, NC, Lily was a ballet dancer for many years while getting her degree in Health Sciences from Arizona State University. After retiring from ballet, she spent a year living in Rome where she fell in love with all things Italian. Her travels led her to research and write on preserving Italian food, culture and traditions, launching her into the world of Italian food. Now, she brings that passion and dedication to her work at Zia Pia.
Zander Patterson
Operations & Logistics
Zander has been in the warehousing and transportation logistics field for over a decade. He got his start as a Logistician with The U.S. Army. Since that time, he has worked extensively in the freight industry, as well as in E-Commerce warehousing and distribution with a specific emphasis in CpG verticals. He, his wife, and their two children have called Charlotte, North Carolina their home for the past five years.
Itange Brown
Warehouse Manager
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Itange moved to Charlotte in 2019 with her fiancé and son. She got her start in warehouse operations through a temporary service, quickly developing a passion for logistics and team leadership. Through this work, she developed management skills in efficiency and organization and has brought them to her role as Warehouse Manager at Zia Pia. Itange leads her team with care, clarity, and a commitment to excellence.
Brendon Nash
Warehouse Lead
Brendon was born in Jersey City and raised near the Chesapeake Bay in a suburb of West Baltimore, where he developed a love for seafood and the outdoors. After school, he often went fishing—an early sign of his appreciation for focus and patience. His career path began in warehouse operations, a field he returned to after exploring other paths. As Warehouse Lead at Zia Pia, Brendon brings consistency, experience, and a strong work ethic to the team.
Chris Garay
Warehouse Associate
A Charlotte native, Chris graduated from Ardrey Kell High School in 2019. His Christian faith and family are central to his life, along with a deep interest in personal growth and self-discipline. After traveling across the country as a transportation driver, he was introduced to Zia Pia through his father and took the chance to join the team. Now, he supports warehouse operations with dedication and precision, always striving to grow and contribute to a culture of hard work.