Naz Dining partners with Frank DiMino Casa Italiana for Italian-American heritage dinner

Italian food took over every station of Nazareth University's Dining Commons during a delicious and educational Italian-American Heritage Dinner.

The event was a collaboration between Naz Dining and Joëlle Carota, Ph.D., director of Nazareth’s Frank DiMino Casa Italiana, the center for Italian studies and culture. With a goal of hosting a one-night experience that takes over all the dining hall stations once a year, this year’s event showcased true Italian and Italian-American menu items.

“Executive Chef Ryan Worden created the menu, and we shared it with Dr. Carota,” Naz Dining Marketing Manager Kadijah Brack-Rowley said. “She had great feedback and really wanted to incorporate Italian names. For example, instead of calling it Margherita Pizza, she wanted to highlight the language, in which it’s actually Pizza Margherita.”

The menu included: 

•  Italian American dishes at the Flyers Favorites station: Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan, linguine with red sauce, and sauteed broccoli rabe
• Allergen-friendly options at Simple Servings: Porchetta, roasted Mediterranean veggies, and apple and fennel salad
• An antipasti display, build-your-own tomato bruschetta, and infused oils with fresh breads at the Naz Bowls station
• Pizza favorites including pizza margherita, New York-style pepperoni pizza, and focaccia
• Arancini, meat lasagna, and ravioli al formaggio with red sauce and garlic cream sauce at the pasta station
• Vegetarian-friendly options such as sauteed broccoli rabe with white beans, roasted artichokes with a pesto al limone, and roasted mushroom salad 
• A Cassoeula (hearty stew with pork sausage and veggies)
• A beautiful display of desserts including cannoli, pizzelle, and maritozzi
  
  

“This event is one of our biggest events in the dining commons,” Worden said, adding that much of the food was authentically made in-house and represented many different regions of Italy. “We had to put our own spin on the way the food went out.”

“Students loved it,” Brack-Rowley said. “The showstopper was the antipasti display, with constant lines and big ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs.’ Students had three to four plates each and were eating together like a big family. One student mentioned it felt like home, and it was so nice to experience a whole transformation.”

“Events like these create space for students to share and explore cultural traditions while connecting,” Director of Campus Operations Brian McGahan said. “They help our community better understand the diverse backgrounds and identities present on campus, while also offering a sense of belonging and pride for students who see their cultures represented.”

Along with the food, Casa Italiana also hosted a pasta-making demonstration, while students took photos in front of a backdrop and Italian music played over the speakers.

“Nazareth University has so much expertise and strong academic foundations,” Brack-Rowley said. “We are honored to have the ability to partner with university groups, especially culture-based programs that showcase authenticity and highlight culinary skills as well. Food is a huge way to share culture and create lifelong memories.”

McGahan also highlighted the importance of cultural events in ensuring Nazareth students feel seen, valued, and supported.

“By celebrating traditions from around the world, we reinforce our mission of building a truly inclusive campus community and helping students develop a global perspective that carries beyond their time here on campus,” he said.

Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.

Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.

• published: 2025 November
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