CREATE THE TASTE OF ITALY
Experience the culture and how to cook authentic Italian cuisine.
Come enjoy an evening of hands-on cooking where you will learn how to create authentic Italian food from several different regions of Italy. Derek Chirico with Italy From Scratch will teach you how to make an incredible four course meal, starting with multiple small appetizers, followed by hand-made pasta, then a meat dish, and ending with dessert. Expect an evening full of enjoyment as you sip on wine and learn how to cook Italian cuisine using simple, fresh ingredients with methods and recipes that have been passed down for generations. You will end the night by dining on an unforgettable meal that you won’t believe was made by your own two hands.
Classes
Includes all the food, cleaning, recipes and wine. Menu options subject to change based on season and size of group.
Personal Dinners
The price includes all the food, setting the table, serving the food and cleaning.
You can provide wine yourself or tell me what wine you want that I can pick up for you!
Our Menu
Appetizers
Tomato Bruschetta
Homemade Ricotta
Pumpkin Tart
Panzanella Salad
Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta
Sicilian Caponata (eggplant)
First Course Options
Authentic Tuscan Meat Ragu with Homemade Pasta
White Duck Ragu with Homemade Pasta
Second Course Options
Saltimbocca Alla Romana (pork) served with Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
Boneless Chicken Leg/Thigh with Fennel and side of potatoes
Dessert Options
Chocolate Capri Cake (flourless) served with a homemade vanilla semifreddo
Panna Cotta with a mixed berry reduction
*Dietary needs are welcome! Please let me know in advance.
Derek Chirico was born and raised in Cranston, Rhode Island. He grew up surrounded by a tight-knit Italian family that enjoyed weekly Sunday pasta dinners together. In a city full of American Italians, where high quality Italian restaurants and bakeries are around every corner, this food became an ingrained element in Derek’s life.
At the age of 21, Derek got the chance to go on his first trip to Italy. This trip ignited a passion for the Italian way of life. A couple years later, Derek and his wife, Laura, moved to Franklin, Tennessee together. He noticed that although there were a couple of decent pizza places and restaurants around, he couldn’t find the high-quality Italian food he had grown to love. After several more trips to Italy, one which involved a three-hour cooking class, Derek began to practice making the dishes that he had enjoyed in Italy at home. As he started sharing these meals with family and friends, he received incredibly positive feedback where they were excited about the quality and flavors of his food. He realized that many people have not had the opportunity to try authentic, hand-made Italian cuisine – and he wanted to show them that it’s possible for everyone to make it at home!
Derek decided that it was time to pursue his passion as a business, and began training under Chef Ryan Hanley, the owner of a successful Italian cooking class business in Tuscany. Through this training, Derek has developed an impressive knowledge and skill set in Italian cooking methods. He has perfected a large variety of dishes with flavors that make you feel like you’re sitting in a piazza in Tuscany having dinner.
Derek is still living in Middle Tennessee with his wife and three sons. He would love the opportunity to bring you an unforgettable experience that will transform the way you cook and eat Italian food!