Sauces are the hands that cradle the dish, serving to complement the elements and bring harmony to the flavors. Historically, sauces provided the nutritional accompaniment to starchy foods and also put salt back into foods that had been leached during the cooking process (Encyclopedia of Food and Culture 2003). Antonin Carême was the first to coin the term mother sauces, which are the basis of other sauces called derivatives (Cuisine Foundations 2008, p. 227). Sauces have evolved in their design and can constitute a creative signature on a classic dish. When you consider the benefits of sauces, you are destined for Italian cuisine cravings! Rao's, the beloved East Harlem neighborhood restaurant, is famous for its social influence and marinara mastery. For over 115 years, Rao's has been nestled on the unassuming corner of 114th Street and Pleasant Ave in upper Manhattan. In 1896, Charles Rao purchased a small saloon at the George Ehret Brewery and opened Rao's (Rao's History). Charles died in 1909 of a heart attack and his brother Joseph Rao took over the restaurant until his death in 1930. Charles' sons, Vincent and Louis Rao then became owner-operators. Vincent eventually brought his wife, Anna Pellegrino, on board to improve the menu. His refined approach to traditional southern Italian cuisine has made the restaurants coveted, 10 tables full of die-hard regulars (Rao's History). Rao's local supporters were rewarded with seniority in the form of permanent reserves which still exist today. Anna's nephew, Frank Pellegrino, an aspiring actor and musician, was often called upon to serve and entertain guests. Today, Rao's is owned by Frank Pellegrino and Ron Straci, Vincent Rao's nephew. (Rao's story). The star continues...... middle of paper ......es.aspxLes Chefs du Cordon Bleu International, Cuisine Foundations (2008) Les Sauces Méres- Mother Sauces, (227), Clifton Park, NY, Le Cordon Bleu International. Rao's story. Accessed April 17, 2011, http://www.raos.com/history.aspxChef Dino Gatto (2010). Accessed April 17, 2011, http://www.idealchef.com/profile.html?uid=1108Gettlin, J. Eat your Heart Out, LA Times (1998). Accessed April 17, 2011, http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jun/24/news/ls-62868Coraggio, J. Rao's House Wine? It's from Warren (2009) Retrieved April 17, 2011, https://www.strawberryridge.com/raos/press.aspRao's Recipes. Accessed April 17, 2011, http://www.raosrecipes.com/category/meats/Burkons, R. Tasting Panel the Magazine: Rao's Signature Wines Open in Las Vegas (2009) Accessed April 17, 2011, https://www .strawberryridge.com/raos/press/TastingPanelMagazine-Sept09.pdf