Hands on Italian cooking class at your fingertips! UNICO DMV is offering an authentic Italian cooking class and luncheon fundraiser for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Cucina e Mangia con Cuore, (“Cook and Eat with your Heart”) will take place on Sunday, February 22, 10:00 a.m. at 2737 Sherman Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. The cooking class and/or three-course luncheon will be served at 1 p.m. There will be two tickets offered - one for cooking class plus luncheon and one for luncheon only. Tickets can be purchased here for cooking class & luncheon. Tickets can be purchased for lunch only here.
Lunch menu includes Italian Antipasto, Gnocchi with Amatriciana sauce and Sorbetto. All cooking class students will learn ‘hands on’ instruction on how to make these authentic dishes. Class will be taught by talented Italian instructors, a local Chef and a Maestro Gelatiere (skilled gelato maker.) UNICO DMV member and Culinary Trip Tour Operator, Dori Konopka will teach how to make gnocchi; Deana DeSante, who is versed at organizing high level events, will teach how to make a traditional antipasto. Her husband, Tony DeSante, who makes and sells gelato at local farmers markets (Arlington Farmers Market to be exact), will teach the class how to make sorbetto! Plus a cameo from Chef Nick Perkins of Ulivo Restaurant, where the class will take place, will teach how to make Italian sauces including the Amatriciana sauce.
Having worked with UNICO National in the past as the event designer and facilitator of the premiere ‘Taste of Italy’ fundraiser in the heart of Crystal City, VA in 2011 - I was thrilled to hear of a local UNICO ‘chapter’ right here in the DMV. UNICO National was ‘Founded in 1922 by Dr. Anthony P. Vastola in Waterbury, Connecticut to unite people of Italian heritage in an organization to perform charitable, patriotic and educational deeds.’ UNICO’s motto is “Service above Self.” The Italian translation for UNICO is unique. The acronym of UNICO stands for Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity and Opportunity. Wonderful to learn that UNICO DMV’s leaders — President, Tony Andreoli and Vice President, Deanna DeSante — have a similar mission to be both charitable and social all while promoting and preserving our Italian heritage.
“Our primary mission is philanthropy”…We also strive to “preserve and protect our Italian culture, our Italian heritage and ancestry.”
-Tony Andreoli, President, UNICO DMV
Can’t wait to get your hands in that gnocchi? Me too! So, follow your heart this February to Cucina e Mangia con Cuore. Hurry to make your reservations at this private and delicious event. Space is limited click here for tickets! Andiamo e Buon Appetito!
