Carlo Lomeli, founder of Lomeli's Italian Restaurant, Inc., started his restaurant career in 1968, at age 14, as a busboy for Sala's Italian Restaurant in Lawndale. By age 16, Carlo realized that he had a tremendous passion for cooking; while at Sala's he learned how to cook and became their main chef. He loved every minute while in the kitchen and decided, from his experience, his lifelong career would be that of a restaurateur. As a result of his close working relationship with Arthur, John and Ted Sala, they became good friends. Carlo was fortunate to have worked with these wonderful employers who were willing to teach him all they knew about running a restaurant. At age 18, Carlo became Sala's manager and worked for them until 1977. He was now 23 years of age and felt he was mentally and financially ready to venture out on his own. First, he wanted to gain more managerial experience so he went to work for Shakey's (on Torrance Boulevard in Torrance) and enrolled in a night course in business management which was held at a public school in Lawndale.