"Incredibly Italian!" Cooking Classes
Get ready to take your taste buds on a journey through one of the world鈥檚 most iconic culinary destinations 鈥� Italy!听From north to south, every region bursts with its own vibrant, flavorful traditions that make Italian cuisine so irresistible. In this lively, hands-on class, our talented chef will guide you through preparing beloved regional dishes that have made Italy a global food legend. You鈥檒l cook, taste, and learn the secrets behind authentic recipes 鈥� just like you would in a true Italian kitchen.听Buon appetito!
About the Chef
Robert Calcagno, DDS, is a native of Rochester with family ties to Valguarnera Caropepe, Sicily. Although he has taken classes at the Institute of Culinary Arts, he has learned primarily from cooking with his mother as a child and by teaching himself through family recipes.
Participant options:
Observer: Are you a visual learner? No problem! Simply choose "observer" when you sign up for the cooking class.
Hands-on: Are you a hands-on learner? Great! Choose "hands-on" when you sign up for the class.
Please note: while everyone will have a chance to dine, you must specify whether you will be observing or participating at registration.
If you choose to pay by check, please call or email us to let us know if you would prefer to observe or participate: (585)389-2468, .
Fall 2026 Classes
- Tuesday, September 15th, 6PM.
惭贰狈脵:听
Cold Antipasto
Ravioli with meat sauce
Parmigiano Reggiano zucchini
Tomato cucumber salad
Ricotta Pie
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Message from Dr. Calcagno:
Our first cooking class of the season will feature homemade ravioli. We will begin with a cold antipasto. We will then make my grandmother鈥檚 ravioli.
Participants have a choice of hands-on and dine, or observe and dine. The hands-on participants with mix the ricotta filling and shape the ravioli.
听After we have made our ravioli, everyone will dine on ravioli with meat sauce and meatballs, Parmigiano Reggiano zucchini, tomato and cucumber salad, and ricotta pie.
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- Tuesday, October 13th, 6PM:
MEN脵:听
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Caramelized onion, goat cheese, and cranberry on crostini
Spaghetti alla crema di zucchine
Pork tenderloin saltimbocca - hand-on
Saute swiss chard
Pistachio flan
听From Dr. Calcagno: Participants will learn how to make this classic Roman dish. "Saltimbocca," meaning "jump in the mouth," perfectly describes the intense, delicious burst of flavor from the very first bite.
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- Tuesday, November 10th, 6PM:听Register.
MEN脵: TBD
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- Tuesday, December 12th, 12PM *Christmas Edition*: Register.
MEN脵: TBD听
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Policies
Registration procedures and policies: Registration links will be provided at least two weeks before each cooking class. You may register online or call our office phone for assistance.听No one may register after 5pm the Friday before the cooking class.
Refund policy: If you cancel more than one week before the cooking class, you will receive a full refund. No refund will be provided to those who cancel the Wednesday prior to the event or later.
Membership benefits: If your Casa Italiana membership includes one or more cooking classes, make sure you email听casa@naz.edu at least two weeks before the class to register and indicate your membership year.听Guests accompanying members are not eligible for the member rate.听Priority for registration is given to members.
For questions or additional information on registration call听
585-389-2468听or email听casa@naz.edu
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Recipe听books听听
Access all of our past recipes here!
Naz in the World
Now that's Italian! Read all about how the Frank DiMino Casa Italiana celebrates Italian language and culture for 杏吧原创 students and the Rochester community.听
