MAITLAND, Fla. — A Sicilian-American restauranteur has a new Italian restaurant in the heart of Maitland called Mandola’s Italian Kitchen.

Founder Damian Mandola, though, isn’t new to restaurants. In fact, he’s an industry legend. Mandola founded the national restaurant chain Carrabbas, which has establishments in Central Florida.

“It was 1986 when we opened,” he said, smiling. “I’ve been in the restaurant industry, this June [2025], 50 years.”

Mandola said he gained his culinary craft and insight because of his travels.

“You know what, [it was] pretty much me [who was self-taught]; going to restaurants, going to New York, and going to Chicago and Philadelphia — just watching and looking," he said.

Mandola and his team shared the restaurant's Chicken Parm and Parma Pizza recipes.

Welcome to Central Florida, Mandola’s! Let’s cook:

Chicken Parmesan

Yields one serving

Ingredients for the Chicken Parmesan

  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (pounded to ¼-inch thickness)
  • 1 ounce EVOO
  • 2 ounces marinara sauce (use your favorite recipe)
  • ½ ounce mild grated cheese
  • 1 slice mozzarella cheese

Ingredients for the fettuccine Alfredo:

  • 3 ounces fettuccini pasta
  • 3 fluid ounces Alfredo sauce (your favorite recipe)

How to prepare the chicken parmesan

  1. Bread the chicken.
    • Dip chicken into the egg mixture, allowing excess egg to drip off.
    • Coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs, pressing to adhere.
  2. Cook the chicken.
    • Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat.
    • Sauté the chicken for about 2 minutes per side, until golden brown.
    • Discard excess oil from the pan.
  3. Assemble and melt the Cheese.
    • Spoon marinara sauce over the cooked chicken.
    • Sprinkle with grated cheese, and place a slice of mozzarella on top.
    • Transfer the pan to a preheated oven, and bake until the cheese melts.
  4. Prepare the pasta.
    • While the chicken is in the oven, cook the fettuccine in salted boiling water until al dente. Check pasta package for cook time.
    • In a separate pan, heat the Alfredo sauce over medium heat.
    • Toss the cooked pasta with the hot Alfredo sauce.
  5. Serve.
    • Place the chicken on a plate.
    • Serve with a side of fettuccine Alfredo.

Parma Pizza

Ingredients (quantities are based on your preference, as you're sprinkling and drizzling ingredients onto dough):

  • Pizza dough
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Shredded provolone
  • Shredded mozzarella
  • Grated Pecorino Romano
  • Prosciutto

Salad topping:

  • Arugula
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Lemon vinaigrette
  • Grana Padano cheese

How to prepare Parma Pizza

  1. Stretch dough into a 12-inch round.
  2. Brush the dough lightly with EVOO.
  3. Distribute cheeses over pizza, as much as you want.
  4. Bake pizza for 6-8 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown.
  5. Lay prosciutto over pizza and cut pizza.
  6. Toss arugula with salt, pepper and vinaigrette. Pile atop pizza. Spread shards of cheese over arugula, and serve.