Meet the Owners of Candela
The owners of Candela, Pete and Frank Candela (on right), in front of their sparkling new kitchen at Candela Quakerbridge in Lawrenceville, NJ.
Spending countless days in the bustling kitchen of Peter Brothers' Restaurant in New Jersey as children, Francesco and Pietro have years of experience creating Candela's tantalizing signature tastes.
Since Italian food was the lifeblood of the Candela family, it was no surprise that Frank and Pete Candela began learning the art of making pizza at a young age. Under the direction of their parents, Vito and Rosalia, Frank and Pete became the second generation of Candelas to bring delicious, mouth-watering Italian dishes to the Greater Princeton area. From sculpting the dough to adding the sauces and cheeses, the brothers have perfected the Candela trademark of quality food and service that has become a staple of the area for decades.
Being a part of the community since they were children and graduating from nearby Lawrence High School, Frank and Pete feel a special connection to their customers. "We know the day of the week by what customers are coming in," Pete explained. "Regular customers are as much a part of the Candela family as the owners." This is a testament to the loyalty that many customers feel towards the homegrown restaurant chain. Since Candela opened, the restaurant has also become a popular lunch spot for the township's fire and police officers.
In 2000, Vito and Rosalia passed on Candela Ristorante to Frank and Pete, who were ready to keep the tradition of excellent food and impeccable service their parents started years before. Since then, Frank and Pete have not only expanded their menu at Candela Lawn Park (near Rider University), but expanded their growing customer base with the opening of Candela Quakerbridge on Quakerbridge Road with their cousins Vito and Frank. "It is an exciting time for the entire Candela family," Pete said. "Candela Quakerbridge has brought in a whole new group of customers. We couldn't be happier."
