History of the Desco commercial pasta cooker
THE DESCO STORY

Since 1981, shaping ideas for professional kitchens.

From a small artisan workshop in Reggio Emilia grew a story of innovation, patented solutions, and equipment designed to evolve alongside professional kitchens.
OUR HISTORY

A story built on experience, continuous research, and the ability to turn real-world needs into reliable solutions.

From a small artisan workshop to an industrial manufacturer, without ever losing touch with the people who use our equipment every day.

Every Desco innovation begins with a simple question: how can we make work in the professional kitchen easier, more precise, and more efficient?

THE BEGINNINGS
1980

Desco was founded in Reggio Emilia, where Lanfranco Torreggiani established a small artisan company driven by an idea destined to transform the way professional kitchens operate.

The origins of Desco in 1980
THE PASTA COOKER IS BORN
1981

From an idea conceived by Lanfranco Torreggiani and the Sales Manager came a machine dedicated to professional pasta cooking, besigned to make Desco recognised around the world.

Desco pasta cooker from 1981
THE CLEAN-TANK FRYER IS LAUNCHED
1988

Desco developed a clean-tank gas fryer featuring a patented combustion heat recovery system, designed to improve the machine’s efficiency and performance.

Desco commercial fryer with clean tank, late 1980s
THE BASKET LIFT MODULE
1992

Desco develops the basket lift module for its pasta cooker, designed to automate basket lifting and make cooking operations more organised, controlled, and repeatable.

Desco basket lift for commercial pasta cookers, 1992
JOINING THE ILSA GROUP
2004

Desco becomes part of Ilsa S.p.A., a historic industrial group of which it is still a member today. From this moment on, the company begins a growth journey that leads to the development of its own dedicated sales network.

Desco joins the ILSA Group in 2004
THE FIRST MODULAR COOKING SYSTEM
2008

Desco introduces its first modular cooking system, designed with a strong focus on the end user, combining functionality, ergonomics, and reliability for professional kitchens.

Desco modular commercial kitchen from 2008
THE NEW V7 COOKING LINE
2025

With V7, Desco introduces a new modular cooking line for professional kitchen, designed and manufactured in Italy to combine performance, ergonomics, and a clean, contemporary design.

Desco modular V7 line for commercial kitchens
1980
1981
1988
1992
2004
2008
Today

The innovation that transformed professional kitchens

The pasta cooker was born from observing an everyday task and the desire to make it more precise, consistent, and organised.

Multiple batches simultaneously
Multiple batches simultaneously
Controlled cooking times
Controlled cooking times
Automatic basket lifting
Automatic basket lifting

Designed for pasta.
Not adapted to it.

Before the pasta cooker, managing pasta cooking required separate pots, workstations, and processes. Desco transformed that workflow into a dedicated professional cooking station, designed to support different service demands and provide practical support to the kitchen brigade.

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From a small artisan company in Reggio Emilia grew a journey built on research, practical expertise, and a culture of innovation.

Since 1981, alongside those who work in professional kitchens every day.

Innovation after innovation, Desco has transformed the needs of chefs and foodservice professionals into reliable, Made in Italy equipment designed for real-world professional kitchens.

The same design philosophy, in every kitchen.

Desco solutions are designed to adapt to different spaces, production volumes, and service demands. From independent restaurants to large-scale projects, every configuration begins with an understanding of real operational needs.

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