The Senator John Heinz History Center – the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh – will host an afternoon of Italian culinary history with its Italian American program and Sprezzatura, a woman-owned café and catering kitchen specializing in Italian food, on Saturday, August 6, from 3-5 p.m. at the History Center.  

The program “Taste of Italy: Focaccia and Grissini Cooking Demo with Sprezzatura Chefs” will take a trip through Italian culinary history by looking at Italian American traditions and the foods enjoyed yesterday and today.

Melissa E. Marinaro, director of the History Center’s Italian American program, will share insights into Western Pennsylvania’s Italian community and how their foodway traditions are preserved in the region today. Chefs from Sprezzatura will then host a live cooking demonstration to show attendees how to make delicious focaccia and grissini. While they cook, the chefs will discuss how they celebrate and honor their Italian heritage in the Sprezzatura kitchen today and give out samples.

The program will be in person at the Heinz History Center. Please register online. 

The History Center will host an afternoon of Italian culinary history with its Italian American program and Sprezzatura, a woman-owned cafe and catering kitchen specializing in Italian food, on Saturday, August 6. Vittoria Iannotta (center) with her daughter Jane Ferro (right), 1950s, Gift of Mary Ferro.