The recently published English translation of an Italian book gives fascinating insight into how Italian prisoners cook in their cells with the few resources that are available to them. “Cooking in Maximum Security” was published by Half Letter Press in November. The Italian original was compiled by Matteo Guidi, who worked with people detained in high-surveillance sections of Italian prisons through an exchange of letters between 2009 and 2013. “Making kitchen tools before one can even begin to gather ingredients is a priority in this cookbook,” Half Letter Press explains. “In addition to identifying the necessary utensils, this book also …

The Italian American Executives of Transportation hosted their third annual Augustus Caesar Awards on for Feb. 28 at Ashton Place in Willowbrook. The event will honor 12 young professionals who are excelling in their fields and exhibit potential for future success. The honorees were Frank Battaglia (dining), Anthony Greco (law enforcement), Bianca Ferreri Maldonado (clinical mental health therapist), Brady Niemiec (firefighter and paramedic), Anthony Pasquini (attorney), Jason Quaglia (commercial risk management insurance), Ramon Ruiz (electrical supply and distribution), Nick Schullo (sales and consulting), Matteo Serritella (private detective), Katelyn Smith (elementary education), Mario Tenuta (financial advisor) and Chris Trzeciak (financial services …

Lucca Osteria & Bar in suburban Oak Brook is the vision of Italian chef and veteran restaurateur Claudio Ulivieri, who co-founded the eatery with Steve Hartenstein on May 1, 2021. Located at 1415 W. 22nd St., across from Oakbrook Center mall, Lucca features a broad menu of authentic Italian dishes including pizza, antipasti, soups, salads, pasta, seafood, meat dishes and sides. Ulivieri was born in Lucca, Italy, and raised on a farm in the town of Altopascio, a small village outside the city. “He learned winemaking from his father and helped him harvest the crop every year,” Lucca’s website recounts. …

The new restaurant Provaré at 1523 W. Chicago Ave. in Chicago pushes boundaries with its convergence of Creole and Italian cuisines. The menu is “perfectly aligned with the saucy and spicy fare,” according to the Michelin Guide. Provaré is the brainchild of chef and partner Jourdan Higgs, a native of suburban Oak Park. “On the menu, the chef pays homage to his Sicilian grandfather, and the results are just full of surprises. Our experience involved ‘crabby fries,’ shatteringly crisp calamari tucked with jalapenos and banana peppers, and tossed with cognac-splashed shrimp scampi,” Michelin writes. Higgs told Forbes magazine that he …

Worth booking weeks ahead, Pizz’Amici in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood sets the new standard for tavern-style pizza, according to Eater Chicago. Located in a former barbershop at 1215 W. Grand Ave., Pizz’Amici is owned by Cecily and Billy Federighi. The dimly lighted eatery has a cozy feeling with seating for about 30 and another eight spots at the bar. Its tavern-style pizza is made with “an impressive cracker-thin crust that’s the perfect base for Chicago-favorite toppings like fennel sausage, Italian beef and giardiniera,” Eater Chicago writes. The menu also features dishes like sausage and peppers, meatballs, caponata, homemade focaccia and …

Bongiorno’s Pizza & Italian Deli has a new owner but continues to offer some of the same well-loved Italian recipes, according to ABC7 Chicago (WLS-TV). The restaurant at 405 N. Wabash Ave. can be “a little tricky to find” but is worth the hunt, thanks to its extensive menu of about 20 pizza varieties, including “rossa” and “bianca,” and toppings including prosciutto cotto, soppressata, sausage, pepperoni, tuna, eggplant, zucchini, bacon, artichokes and many more. The menu also features salads, sandwiches, calzone, pasta and meat dishes. Desserts include cannoli, tiramisu, gelato and Italian cookies, and the drinks selection features beer and …

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas welcomed a delegation from Sicily to her office on Oct. 10. The entourage was in town to celebrate Italian American Heritage Month as representatives of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans’ Parade Region of Honor. Pappas and other elected officials took part in the JCCIA’s Oct. 10 flag-raising ceremony in Daley Plaza. At a reception at her office afterward, she presented certificates of excellence to Palermo Vice Mayor Giampiero Cannella, the delegation, and civic and religious leaders from Italy and the Chicago area. “More than 600,000 Italian Americans in Chicagoland have helped make Cook …

On Oct. 18, the Casa Italia Library unveiled a new website aimed at preserving family histories for posterity. Designed by library volunteer Olivia Greco, the portal allows visitors to submit stories about themselves and their family members. “This project is a wonderful way to get anyone involved,” Greco says. “If you want to tell your family’s story, but feel like writing is not your strong point, this is a perfect opportunity. It’s a fast and easy way to save our stories before they’re gone forever.” For more, click here.

The Chicago-area Italian American community and its supporters pulled out all the stops in October, with celebrations taking place across the metropolitan area and throughout the month. As always, the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans led the way, starting with an Oct. 10 flag-raising ceremony in Daley Plaza, followed by a reception at the office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Next came a glittering Presidents’ Ball on Oct. 12 at the Chicago Cultural Center. Club presidents joined forces with elected officials from every level of government to officially welcome delegations from Sicily and Italy to the festivities, with …

Featuring a variety of southern Italian family recipes, Cucina Bella celebrated its 20th year in downtown Algonquin earlier this year. Owner Tony Colatorti opened the Italian restaurant in 2005 after operating Luke’s Italian Beef locations in the area, the Northwest Herald reported. One of Colatorti’s favorite menu items is the Suprema sauce, created when marinara sauce was accidentally mixed into Alfredo sauce; it has become one of the restaurant’s best sellers. “Lots of people try to duplicate it. Without the exact marinara ratio, it’s hard to do,” he told the newspaper. For more, click here.