“I had an ego all my life,” said Ronald Raben, with the realization that a certain level can be good, but too much can be harmful. His balance helped build success multiple times over as a restaurateur, earning the nickname “Chef Rinaldo.”
Raben was born and raised in New York City, the Bronx and Long Island. During the Korean War, he served in the US Navy for four years outside of the war zone. While in the military, Raben studied the ins and outs of kitchen labor, but it wasn’t his chosen profession right away.
When he returned from duty, he went to work for his uncle at the Queen’s garden business. He briefly provided neighborhood eateries with potatoes, including ready-to-cook French fries. He also worked in the world of art galleries for several years.
His first taste of restaurant achievement came on Long Island, with an expiry date he wasn’t aware of. The building’s owners planned to demolish the structure within months of renting the space, later saying, “We never thought you’d make it anyway.” He ended up bartending until his first wife suggested an astrology reading that predicted his big break in Florida was just around the corner.
He travelled to Fort Lauderdale two days later. The next day, he secured a job at the Down Under, a large restaurant frequented by Johnny Weismuller. He got a position of sous chef . “I didn’t even know what that meant,” he said.
He was a fast learner. After five years, he was able to increase his wages by working at Piasano’s, a new restaurant on Las Olas Boulevard. The operation was successful until a family member demanded adjustments, at which point Raben chose to start his own business.
With daily affirmations, he has increased his spirituality along the road. He was raised by a Jewish family, but he hadn’t attended a religious service in decades.
“I’d say every night, ‘All of my body parts are healthy,’ and I would picture them,” he says, seeing improvements that sped up after a couple of years. The ritual also includes appreciating himself and those around him. “…and I thank everybody I ever met in my life who I can remember.”
He first met Joyce, his wife of 33 years, at a Unity church, where they were both attending for the first time with friends.
After founding Rinaldo’s, a 42-seat restaurant in Wilton Manors, he had some of his fondest moments on the job.
He offered deep-fried parsley as a complimentary appetizer, a technique he initially utilized in New York, and a simple signature dish, “Chicken Rinaldo,” that was a hit.
A consumer became a business associate, resulting in a much larger Pompano Beach location. Joe DiMaggio and Jackie Mason were among the celebs that frequented the new Rinaldo’s and a second location.
His children had also started working for him as waiters. When Rinaldo’s partnership fell apart over personnel issues, Raben utilized the money to create Ronieri’s in Pembroke Pines, which he passed on to the next family following a heart operation.
Raben’s connection to The Villages began with his wife’s family, who lived in Ocala. After making a 40-minute short about an artist uncle, he studied filmmaking and won first place in a foreign film club.
He also mentions his own abilities and his gallery days, saying, “Art is in my DNA.”
Raben also began writing, and his memoir, “How Long Does Tomorrow Last?” was recently published.
As he heard about Urantia via a buddy who had since gone away, he had formed relationships with people who had helped him expand his spirituality: “The premise of the book added to the web of understanding that was growing in my mind, and it became a strong part of my contentment and peace of mind,” Raben says.
Even at the age of 88, he maintains his enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.