Michael Tesoro’s Secret Sauce: Honoring his Ooma

One And Done: How Ooma Tesoro’s Found success with its singular sauce

How a couple, struck by unemployment, turned a family marinara recipe into a thriving business.

The founders of the Cummington-made small batch marinara sauce throw together weeknight meals just like the rest of us. Weekends, however, are for family and homemade comfort food.

It’s an old story in American business. Somebody dabbling in the kitchen produces a food item that has friends and relatives clamoring for more. “You should bottle that stuff!” is the classic refrain. Or jar it or can it or wrap it up in cellophane or craft paper with eye-catching packaging designs.

In a market full of pasta sauce behemoths, Ooma Tesoro’s takes a “Small is Beautiful” approach to their business.

Many talented cooks who enjoy entertaining have heard their guests exclaim “Wow, this is so good you should sell it!” While most are flattered, few heed the advice. An exception to that norm is Michael Tesoro, 50, who produces Ooma Tesoro’s marinara sauce.

Looking for an alternative to chicken? Michael Tesoro the Owner and Chef at Ooma Tesoro’s Marinara showed us how to roast a pheasant.

Summer is prime time for entertaining in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, where Robin and Michael Tesoro live with their daughter, Francesca, 8, and son, Nicholas, 6. The couple relishes any opportunity to invite friends over for a meal outside on the patio. "It's all very informal, both the food and the decor," says Robin. Simple dishes, like summer minestrone and a rustic vegetable tart, highlight local produce.

A variety of cookware for sale at Cucina & Tavola in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.