Dominica Schiro was born in Italy, 1927 and brought her family's love of cooking with her to Chicago in 1951. Dominica was known for her signature Bloody Mary mix, which became popular in the local community. Using fresh herbs and spices that she grew in her own garden. Her mix was in high demand, and soon she began to sell it to local bars and restaurants.
Dominica’s son Paul inherited his mother's passion for mixology and worked alongside her in perfecting the recipe. Paul had a rebellious streak, however, and he wanted to give the mix a more daring name to reflect his personality. He rebranded the mix as "Rat Bastard," and to his surprise, it was a hit. The name made it stand out in a crowded market, and soon it became one of the most popular Bloody Mary mixes in the city.
At 96 years old, Dominica is proud of the recipe she developed and the success that her son has achieved with it. She still loves to cook and makes her famous Italian dishes for family and friends. Dominica has seen a lot of changes in her life, but the one thing that has remained constant is her love of cooking and the joy it brings to others. She is grateful that she has been able to pass on her legacy to her son, who has continued to make the Schiro name famous with his "Rat Bastard" Bloody Mary mix.
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