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EXHIBIT 10.23
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                        AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                        ---------------------------------

                  This AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Amendment"),
dated as of February 9, 1998, is between CIAO CUCINA CORPORATION (the
"Corporation") and CARL A. BRUGGEMEIER ("Executive").

                                    RECITALS:
                                    ---------

                  WHEREAS, the Corporation and Executive entered into an
Employment Agreement dated August 1, 1996 (the Agreement"); and

                  WHEREAS, the Corporation and Executive wish to amend the
Agreement as provided herein;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:

                  1. Paragraph 2 of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced
with the following:

                  The term of Executive's employment under this Agreement shall
                  terminate at 12:00 PM EST on December 31, 1998.

                  2. Paragraph 3(a) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and
replaced with the following:

                  The Corporation shall pay Executive during the term of this
                  Agreement an annual base salary of $130,000.00, payable
                  biweekly.

                  3. Paragraph 3(d) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and
replaced with the following:

                  Effective March 1, 1998, and for the remainder of the terms of
                  this Agreement, Executive shall receive a monthly car
                  allowance of $450.00.

                  4. In consideration for the Agreements of Executive herein,
the Corporation shall pay Executive simultaneously with Executive's execution
hereof an amount equal to $23,500, representing: (a) deferred and unpaid salary
of $22,000 due Executive under the Agreement for the period September 8, 1997
through February 8, 1998; and (b) deferred and unpaid car allowance of $1,500
for the months of September, October, November and December of 1997, and January
and February of 1998.

                  5. Except as amended hereby, the Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of
this Amendment and the terms of the Agreement, the terms of this Amendment shall
control.


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EXHIBIT 10.23
-------------

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment
as of the date first set forth above.


Witnessed By:                        CIAO CUCINA CORPORATION


/s/ Gary Salazar                     By: /s/ Catherine C. Jetter
-------------------------                ------------------------------

/s/ Laura K. Robinson                Title: Exec. Vice President/CFO
-------------------------                 -------------------------------

                                     EXECUTIVE:

/s/ Laura Robinson
-------------------------
                                     /s/ Carl A. Bruggemeier
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     CARL A. BRUGGEMEIER
/s/ Gary Salazar
-------------------------



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