News

Mangia Bene: seconda parte

March 25, 2009

On Monday, March 25, the Hay Campus welcomed the Italian American Chamber of Commerce for the fifth ‘Cook Italy’ event to take place at Mercy Home.

Each of our junior chefs helped Isola Imports, Inc. President, John Nitti, cook up an Italian feast of fresh bruschetta, truffle pasta, pasta con ceci, beef sausage, and fruit salad. The young men also enjoyed large chocolate Easter eggs with surprises inside.

While Nitti and the chefs were busy in the kitchen, Bosco, Speh and Noha Homes enjoyed an orientation on healthy eating by Loyola University nutritionist, Joanne Kouba.

During dinner, Nitti gave the young men a history lesson on the evening’s most special ingredient—truffles (pictured at left). Nitti explained that the edible fungi only grows underground. Many of the most prized and expensive truffles on the planet grow in a specific region of Italy. Truffle hunters must use specially-trained dogs to sniff out and unearth these profitable tubers. Because of the great lengths that are needed to get these unique and rare delicacies to the dinner tables of the world’s finest restaurants, the price of truffles runs about $400 per pound!

Thanks to everyone involved in the planning of cook Italy, especially our good friends at the Italian American Chamber of Commerce. Once again, it was a success!

Mangia Bene

March 16, 2009

On March 16, the kitchen at the Girls Campus was filled with delicious aromas, aspiring young chefs, and wholesome Italian food. Our young women were invited to participate in the third 'Cook Italy' event, sponsored by John Nitti, President of Isola Imports, the Italian American Chamber of Commerce, and Joanne Kouba, a nutrition specialist from Loyola University.

Several of our young women learned how to cook polenta, a dish made from boiled cornmeal, with the head chef at the Italian Village, Joseph Zaranski. They also grilled chicken, zucchini, and tomatoes to accompany the polenta, and made a salad with walnuts and apple slices. While our young chefs were busy in the kitchen, the rest of the young women participated in a nutrition class taught by Joanne Kouba and other representatives from Loyola University.

"The night was such a wonderful success", said Karen Bartmann, director of the Girls Campus. "The girls not only learned more about nutrition and cooking, they thoroughly enjoyed the authentic Italian meal!"

The young women also enjoyed giant chocolate Easter eggs with 'surprises' inside, from John Nitti. The chocolate Easter eggs are an Italian tradition, and are known to contain 'surprises', ranging from toy whistles (which was in these Easter eggs) to elaborate and expensive gifts.

Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make the third 'Cook Italy' a huge success. We look forward to the next 'Cook Italy' at the Boys' Campus on Monday, March 23, 2009.

Cook Italy, session 2

December 8, 2008

The 2^nd Cook Italy Session was a great success! Featuring the young women of the Mercy Home, lessons were held by Loyola University's Joanne Kouba and her students, as well a culinary instruction by John Nitti, Founding President of Cook Italy and President on Isola Imports, Inc. Thanks to all who participated!

For more information on this event, click here.

Christmas Fundraising Event

December 17, 2008

When:
December 17, 2008 at 6:30pm

Where:
Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA)
820 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Partners

A special thanks to our partners

Chef Federico Comacchio