"Incredibly Italian!" Cooking Classes
Get ready to take your taste buds on a journey through one of the world’s most iconic culinary destinations — Italy! 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’ll cook, taste, and learn the secrets behind authentic recipes — just like you would in a true Italian kitchen. 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.
Spring 2026 Classes
- Tuesday, January 27th, 6PM. Register.
MENU:
Pane cunzatu
Three types of risotto
Chicken thighs in a sundried tomato cream sauce
Chocolate chip hazelnut torta
A note from Dr. Calcagno:
We will begin with a glass of wine and pane cunzatu. Participants will then make three types of risotto; butternut squash risotto, spring vegetable risotto, and Parmesan risotto. Our main course is chicken thighs in sundried tomato cream sauce. We finish with chocolate chip hazelnut torta.
- Tuesday, February 24th, 6PM
- Tuesday, March 24th, 6PM: Coffee themed!
- Tuesday, April 14th, 6PM
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. 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 casa@naz.edu at least two weeks before the class to register and indicate your membership year. Guests accompanying members are not eligible for the member rate. Priority for registration is given to members.
For questions or additional information on registration call
585-389-2468 or email casa@naz.edu
Recipe books
Access all of our past recipes here!
FDM Casa Italiana Recipe Book Folder
Naz in the World
Now that's Italian! Read all about how the Frank DiMino Casa Italiana celebrates Italian language and culture for Nazareth students and the Rochester community. 
