Pailadzo Captanian
Encyclopedia
Pailadzo Captanian was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide
and an author. She is also credited with inspiring the creation of Rice-A-Roni
which is based on her own recipe of Armenian pilaf
.
During the Armenian Genocide in 1915, Pailadzo, while pregnant, was forced to march through the Syrian desert to Aleppo
.
After the Genocide, she wrote her memoirs in French, titled "Memoires d'une deportee". In 1919, the memoirs were published and are considered important contribution to Armenian Genocide research, since it was penned shortly after the events. The book contributed to Raphael Lemkin
's research and his understanding of the Genocide.
Also in 1919, Mrs. Captanian was reunited with her two other sons whom she had entrusted to a Greek
family before the deportations. Afterwards, Pailadzo and her sons moved to the United States, where she worked as a seamstress and sewed draperies for President Franklin D. Roosevelt
's home in Hyde Park, New York.
After World War II
, Pailadzo and her family moved to San Francisco. While in San Francisco, she rented a room to Lois and Tom DeDomenico. Pailadzo taught Lois how to make Armenian pilaf and in 1955 Tom and his brother Vincent
, who worked at the Golden Grain Macaroni pasta company founded by their father, came up with the initial recipe for the dried rice mixture called Rice-A-Roni
.
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
and an author. She is also credited with inspiring the creation of Rice-A-Roni
Rice-A-Roni
Rice-A-Roni is a product of PepsiCo's subsidiary, the Quaker Oats Company. It is a boxed food mix that consists of rice, vermicelli pasta, and seasonings. To prepare, the rice and pasta are browned in butter, then water and seasonings are added and simmered until absorbed.-History:In 1895,...
which is based on her own recipe of Armenian pilaf
Pilaf
Pilaf is a dish in which rice is cooked in a seasoned broth . In some cases, the rice may also attain its brown color by being stirred with bits of cooked onion, as well as a large mix of spices...
.
During the Armenian Genocide in 1915, Pailadzo, while pregnant, was forced to march through the Syrian desert to Aleppo
Aleppo
Aleppo is the largest city in Syria and the capital of Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Syrian governorate. With an official population of 2,301,570 , expanding to over 2.5 million in the metropolitan area, it is also one of the largest cities in the Levant...
.
After the Genocide, she wrote her memoirs in French, titled "Memoires d'une deportee". In 1919, the memoirs were published and are considered important contribution to Armenian Genocide research, since it was penned shortly after the events. The book contributed to Raphael Lemkin
Raphael Lemkin
Raphael Lemkin was a Polish lawyer of Jewish descent. He is best known for his work against genocide, a word he coined in 1943 from the root words genos and -cide...
's research and his understanding of the Genocide.
Also in 1919, Mrs. Captanian was reunited with her two other sons whom she had entrusted to a Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
family before the deportations. Afterwards, Pailadzo and her sons moved to the United States, where she worked as a seamstress and sewed draperies for President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
's home in Hyde Park, New York.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Pailadzo and her family moved to San Francisco. While in San Francisco, she rented a room to Lois and Tom DeDomenico. Pailadzo taught Lois how to make Armenian pilaf and in 1955 Tom and his brother Vincent
Vincent DeDomenico
Vincent Michael DeDomenico, Sr. was an American entrepreneur, one of the inventors of Rice-A-Roni, and a founder of the Napa Valley Wine Train.-Biography:...
, who worked at the Golden Grain Macaroni pasta company founded by their father, came up with the initial recipe for the dried rice mixture called Rice-A-Roni
Rice-A-Roni
Rice-A-Roni is a product of PepsiCo's subsidiary, the Quaker Oats Company. It is a boxed food mix that consists of rice, vermicelli pasta, and seasonings. To prepare, the rice and pasta are browned in butter, then water and seasonings are added and simmered until absorbed.-History:In 1895,...
.