OUR STORY
From the 1990s to today: the journey of a family driven by passion, gnocchi, and innovation.
Our story begins with a simple yet powerful dream: bringing the true taste of Italian tradition to everyone’s table. A dream that came to life thanks to Li Vecchi Santo, who since the 1990s has come a long way, driven by a genuine passion for cooking and the desire to build a solid future for his family.
From a Small Artisan Workshop to a Recognized Brand
It all started just a few steps from the heart of Prato, with ESSEDI PASTA SRL, a workshop where Santo — the founder — began making potato gnocchi using traditional methods but with a forward-looking mindset. Today, that small workshop has grown into a limited liability company run entirely by the Li Vecchi family. Papa Santo is still at the helm, now supported by his sons, Gianluca and Tommaso, who bring enthusiasm and fresh ideas, continuously innovating while respecting the traditions that define us.
Growth That Never Stops
Our facility has grown alongside us. From the 1990s to today, we’ve made huge strides: new technologies, improved production processes, but always with a clear goal — to maintain the quality and authenticity of our gnocchi.
KEY MOMENTS IN OUR JOURNEY
1958
The Origins
On March 12th, Li Vecchi Santo was born. With a true artisan soul and a passion for quality work, he started working at the age of 15, dreaming of creating something of his own that would leave a lasting mark.
Santo took over Pastificio Pratese alongside a business partner and began specializing in gnocchi production.
1999
The First Step into the Gnocchi World
2007
New Roots in Carmignano
The company moved to a larger facility in Carmignano (Prato). Santo’s dream was becoming more concrete, while Gianluca grew up surrounded by the aroma of fresh gnocchi wafting through their home and workshop.
The Li Vecchi family took full control of the business. At just twenty years old, Gianluca joined the company, bringing fresh energy, new ideas, and a strong desire to innovate.
2011
All in the Family
2014
The Birth of LO GNOCCO
This is when everything changed. Our brand LO GNOCCO was born — a symbol of our passion and commitment to quality. We no longer produced solely for third parties. Now, our name proudly appeared on our gnocchi, telling the story of who we are and what we stand for. Shortly after, Tommaso joined the company, completing the family team.
With new state-of-the-art machinery came new challenges. Our production capacity increased significantly without ever compromising the artisanal quality that defines us. Our dreams grew alongside our gnocchi.
2017
A Major Leap Forward
2019
Across Borders: Expanding to the USA
Gianluca and Tommaso took LO GNOCCO overseas. With FDA certification and entry into the American market, our gnocchi found their way to the tables of customers around the world. The warehouse was further expanded to meet growing international demand.
A historic turning point. We became the first in the world to launch keto gnocchi — a revolutionary product designed for those following a low-carb lifestyle without sacrificing the joy of authentic Italian cuisine. With this innovation, we combined tradition and modernity, offering a unique product that quickly captured both national and international markets.
2024
The Invention of Keto Gnocchi
Gianluca Li VecchiAmministratore delegatoGianluca, born in 1992, is an athlete who loves sport, in particular football where he is among the most prominent Para-Olympic footballers in the country. It is no coincidence that he is currently a footballer and captain of both the Italian national seven-a-side football team for Celebrolesi and Insuperabili. Despite his hemiparesis, he sets no limits, neither in sport nor in work.In 2011 he was appointed commercial manager of the company Essedi Pasta SRL, thus also becoming passionate about cooking and in particular the production of potato gnocchi. A job to which he dedicates most of his time, while also managing to train and take care of his family, given that in 2022 he became the father of a fantastic little girl.
Tommaso Li VecchiResponsabile della logisticaTommaso, born in 1997, got his High School Diploma in Administration, Finance and Marketing in 2016 from Paolo Dagomari Institute of Technology in Prato. He is responsible for quality control, ensuring that our gnocchi comply with the high standards of LO GNOCCO brand.Tommaso is an amateur soccer player. He got his passion from his brother Gianluca who, been unable to pursue his dream because of hemiparesis, appreciates in his brother the same determination he has, not only in sports but also in carrying on the family business.
Santo Li VecchiPresidenteIn 1992 Santo decides to make the most of his passion for Italian food and, together with his former business partner, takes over the Pastificio Pratese, a Tuscan company renowned for the production of gnocchi.Since then, he has spent most of his time creating different types of potato gnocchi, improving quality and flavor more and more, allowing only a few distractions, like live entertainment and karaoke.He fulfills one of his dreams by involving his wife Angela and his sons Gianluca and Tommaso in the company Essedi Pasta Ltd.. The new company is able to combine tradition and innovation in industrial production while guaranteeing excellent quality standards.
Angela MaioResponsabile stoccaggioAngela is the youngest of her many siblings. She stands out among friends and family for her excellent cooking skills and for her search for local traditional flavors.She follows her husband in every adventure, sharing with him his many passions, like motorbike outings and karaoke.Since the set up of the company Essedi Pasta Ltd. Angela has always taken care of the warehouse for the production of potato gnocchi.
JessicaResponsabile qualitàJessica has cultivated her passion for food since adolescence, entered hotel school and graduated as a cook.During the high school year she started working as a bartender in order to continue her studies. Once concluded, she decides to follow the world of food more closely and finds work in various restaurants and most famous pastry shops in Prato. She is not new to the family as she has been engaged to Gianluca since 2008.You officially join the Lo Gnocco team in 2021, the year in which you enrolled at the University of Florence in food technology in order to offer the company greater expertise in this area.
ChiaraResponsabile produzione
What makes us unique ?
Our journey is far from over, and we’re excited to keep growing, bringing the true taste of Italian gnocchi to tables all over the world.