Rufina's Celebrates One Year in Business

Welcome to Business Owner of the Week, a weekly column where we get to know a local business owner a little better. Are you a business owner who would like to be featured in this column? E-mail  krista@patch.com.

Cathy Ribeck one year ago this month and turned it into. We're catching up with Ribeck to see how business is going.

Q: It's been one year since Vincenzo's has turned to Rufina's. How does it feel?

A: It has been a whirlwind year for me and Rufina’s.  I can hardly believe that a year has passed.  So many new learning experiences.  I have finally had the opportunity to jump in the kitchen something that always intrigued me but I never had the opportunity to do as a GM for the previous restaurant.  I must admit there is always something to learn on a daily basis when you wear all the hats in a business.  If I am not learning something then I am home sleeping and probably dreaming about something that I should be learning.  It is a fabulous feeling to know that Rufina’s has earned a place in the vast land of restaurants in Chelmsford. 

Q: How would you describe the atmosphere of Rufina's?
A: I consider Rufina’s to be a casual (slightly upscale) Italian eatery. We are friendly, professional, courteous and most of all understanding of the wants and needs of our customers. We strive to provide excellent Italian cuisine, tantalizing wines, scrumptious desserts and a friendly atmosphere that makes our customers feel at home.

Q: What is the most popular item on the menu? What is your favorite item?
A:  The most popular item on the menu is Chicken Parmigiana (followed closely by any of the other parms, veal, eggplant and the combination of all three). 

My favorite menu item (by the way we have just changed to our summer menu) is a toss up between Lobster fra Diavolo (loaded with fresh lobster meat simmered in a spicy marinara sauce tossed with linguine) or Haddock di Estate (haddock of the summer) oven roasted day boat haddock fillet served with julienned summer vegetables finished in a sherry wine and shallot sauce served over angel hair.  (This one is steadily climbing up the ladder with the customers as well). 

We were asked by several customers to add more seafood to our menu so we have.  In addition to all of our shellfish entrees we have added the haddock, a new salmon entrée and beautiful sea scallops have been put on as an option in many of our entrees.  

Q: What have you come to love about being a business owner in Chelmsford?
A:  I truly enjoy this town.  I had worked in Chelmsford for 16 years before buying the restaurant, but had not had the chance to make the decisions when it came to helping the community. We have hosted so many events since we have been Rufina’s for the children of Chelmsford and have got to meet several parents, grandparents, friends and family members while doing this. 

We hosted a dining to donate for the Center School PTO, a fundraiser to help with the rebuilding of the playground for the South Row School and countless gift certificates for raffles and fundraisers for many people from Chelmsford and surrounding towns. We attended the Taste of Chelmsford in March and most recently did the What’s Cookin on the Common hosted by the National Honor Society. What a great event and it was to raise money for the Food Pantry. I wish we could do them all but there are so many requests each year that you pick and choose and hope that you have chosen wisely.  (Another learning experience).  The people in this town are wonderful and I love having the opportunity to help when I can.

Q: What are you looking forward to about the next year, and the many years to come?
A:  I am looking forward to growing my business.  I would love to pack this place every lunch and dinner with happy smiling faces. I am hoping to expand our catering business and reach out to the many businesses in this area that utilize catering services on a daily basis. Rufina’s is a great place to host a rehearsal dinner and on Saturday and Sunday mornings we are available to do showers, christenings, confirmations, etc. We have been opening frequently on the weekends for these types of events. Most of all I want to be sure that my customers walk out of here having had a wonderful dining experience and that they can’t wait to come back.

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Are you a business owner who would like to be featured in this column? E-mail  krista@patch.com.