Our history is rooted in family tradition and a deep love for the art of baking and catering, passed down from generation to generation. It all started in 1972, when Franco, then 11 years old, began frequenting his father Cataldo's bakery, the Santa Caterina Bakery, located in the picturesque Old Town. Here, Franco learned the secrets of the trade, observing how his father produced “homemade bread,” renowned for its ability to stay fresh for more than a week. In 1981, together with his father and brother Mimmo, Franco helped move the business to the Tamburi area, continuing to spread the unique fragrances and flavors of Santa Caterina bread, which has become a landmark for the community.

Franco, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and sustained by a deep passion for food, began his first independent experience in 1985, with the collaboration of his mother-in-law: he ran the cafeterias of two schools for a few hours a day, offering breakfasts made of sandwiches, scones and croissants, helping to build his own entrepreneurial vision. This experience led him in 1986 to open IN COOPERATION WITH WIFE MARIA ROSARIA, his first independent business, a bakery with take-out pizzeria that carried the name of Santa Caterina. With this step, Franco began a series of initiatives that consolidated the name Santa Caterina in the local gastronomic culture.

In 1989, the desire to grow and innovate prompted Franco to open a second summer spot on the Litoranea, where his sister-in-law Antonella, a constant presence in this adventure, managed the cash register. For more than a decade, the business was a symbol of quality and tradition, but Franco's entrepreneurial spirit soon led to new explorations, including the handover of the bakery business to his sister Elena in 1994. This allowed him to start a tobacco shop, Santa Caterina, in the Via Abruzzo area.

In 1997, Franco again turned his gaze to catering, opening a Pub-Restaurant that quickly established itself as a place of conviviality and good food, again under the name Santa Caterina. In the 2000s, Franco and Antonella briefly operated a bar on Magna Grecia Avenue, confirming their continuing evolution and desire to offer new services to the community.

In 2010, the Santa Caterina restaurant underwent a major renovation, an operation that renewed the space to make the dining experience more welcoming. A few years later, in 2012, Franco expanded his horizon even further, taking over the temporary management of two renowned restaurants in the area: “L'Assassino” in Taranto and “Cabiria” in Grottaglie.

During the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, with the need to adapt to the times, the restaurant boosted its take-out business, allowing customers to continue to enjoy Santa Caterina quality at home. This phase also spurred Franco to realize a long-considered dream: the creation of a licorice liqueur, under the brand name Tamburrini 1986, to honor the tradition and name of his business.

In 2021, Franco decided to completely renovate his business, creating a unique experience with Franky Experience: a restaurant that represents his evolution and more modern vision of dining. After a complete renovation, 2022 marked the reopening of the restaurant with an innovative and welcoming style, a place where tradition and innovation come together.

Today, the Tamburrini 1986 brand has become a symbol of a new phase: in 2022, Franco launched “Pastucci,” cantucci-inspired sweets designed to accompany Tamburrini 1986 licorice liqueur, IMMEDIATELY BECOMING AFTER “THE ELIxIR OF THE TWO SEAS” IN HOMAGE TO THE CITY OF TARANTO. a line that continues to expand to offer quality products that are faithful to tradition but with a contemporary look.

With nearly half a century of history and experience, our business has grown while holding firm to the values of quality and authenticity. We are proud today to offer a range of unique experiences and products that embody the best of our family heritage, revisited for the present and projected into the future.