food > “Piatti all’Opera” ~ Masterclass Series with Italian Chef Rita Monastero

DOWNLOAD THE RECIPES FOR THIS MASTERCLASS SERIES

The Italian Cultural Institute of Washington, in collaboration with Cookology Culinary School, invites you to attend one of our three cooking encounters of the series “Piatti all’Opera ~ Masterclass with Italian Chef Rita Monastero”, organized on the occasion of the IX edition of the Settimana della Cucina Italiana nel Mondo (SCIM, Week of Italian Cuisine in the World).

Inspired by the centenary of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s departure, the project “Piatti all’Opera” (“Dishes at the Opera”) aims to celebrate the relation between cuisine and Italian opera, including dishes mentioned in the masterpieces as well as those with which certain Italian composers, such as Giacomo Puccini or Giuseppe Verdi, had a special connection.

Each masterclass is hosted at Cookology Culinary School, in Arlington, Virginia, and will offer participants the opportunity to cook three different Italian culinary delicacies.

Please note that registration is required to participate in these events and interested parties are advised to register for just one of the Masterclasses to allow as many participants as possible, given that space is limited.

Each person may register for only one session in this masterclass series.

MENU FOR EACH CLASS:

• Masterclass I – November 19, 2024 ~ 10 am – 1 pm
  Minestrone alla Puccini con riso e fagioli (Vegetable Soup à la Puccini with rice and beans)
  Bucatini alla Caruso con zucchine fritte, peperoni e pomodori (Caruso style Bucatini pasta with fried zucchinie, peppers, and tomatoes)
  Castagnaccio (Chestnut cake)

• Masterclass II – November 21, 2024 ~ 10 am – 1 pm
  Risotto alla Verdi (Verdi style Risotto)
  Cacciucco di pollo alla Puccini (Puccini style chicken stew)
  Pesca Melba (Melba style Peach)

• Masterclass III – November 22, 2024 ~ 10 am – 1 pm
  Tagliolini al forno alla Maria Callas (Maria Callas’ baked Tagliolini pasta)
  Piccatina balsamica alla Pavarotti (Pavarotti-style veal escalope)
  Latte alla portoghese di Puccini (Puccini-Style Custard Pudding)

ABOUT THE CHEF

Rita Monastero, “The LovelyCheffa,” is a distinguished Cookery Teacher and Food Writer. She collaborates with top cooking schools globally, including Il Gambero Rosso, teaching professional and amateur classes. Rita also teaches Italian Cuisine in Bangkok and contributes English articles on Italian Cuisine for the Bangkok Post.
Trained as an interpreter, she conducts English team-building classes for major companies. An accomplished author with 10 cook books published by Gribaudo-Feltrinelli, her 11th book launched in March 2019. Her book “I Pani dimenticati” was translated into Turkish in 2017. Rita is part of “La Prova del Cuoco” on Rai1 and makes appearances on shows like Geo – Rai3. As a Food Stylist, she creates visually stunning dishes for Rai1 programs.