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Members of the Italian-American Women of Staten Island gather in the banquet room of Bocelli Ristorante for a Cooking Demonstration and fall Harvest Dinner. From the left to right, Co-President Michele Buccigrossi, vice president PhyllisAnne Millus, Co-President, Audrey LoPresti, Stefano Sena, executive chef at Bocelli Ristorante, Treasurer, Michele Faljean, Corresponding Secretary, Vincenza Gallassio, Recording Secretary, Patricia Mezzacappa , Chairperson of the event and Past President ,Connie DeFrancesco. Chef Sena, is in the center and musican/vocalist/songwriter, Alex Leonard is in the background. (Courtesy PhyllisAnne Millus and Michele Buccigrossi)Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Each year, the Italian American Women of Staten Island join together for a four-course fall harvest dinner — with all the trimmings — created especially for the organization by Stefano Sena, executive chef of Bocelli Ristorante.
The highly anticipated cooking demonstration serves as a way for members to gather together to offer thanks, exchange ideas, and share thoughts and beliefs regarding their much-cherished heritage, and even elaborate on some new perspectives.
The Harvest Table created by Stefano Sena, executive chef of Bocelli Ristorante, where a photo of Mother Cabrini is showcased in the center. (Courtesy PhyllisAnne Millus and Michele Buccigrossi)Staten Island Advance
Chef Sena focuses on a different region of Italy each year and shares knowledge through photographs, recipes, wine native to the area, and with musical entertainment.
And once again, what better way to celebrate all things Italian than to eat, drink, be merry — and celebrate all the good works performed by members of The Italian-American Women of Staten Island?
Chef Sena prepared homemade mozzarella for the crowd. (Courtesy PhyllisAnne Millus and Michele Buccigrossi)Staten Island Advance
The dinner kicks off with a selection of crostini, mushrooms, roasted eggplant and proscuitto with tomato confit, housemade fresh mozzarella created by Chef Stefano, fresh artisan lettuce with local fall apples and roasted pumpkin.
A delightful assorted antipasto including roasted eggplant, mortadella, Italian salami and sopresata. (Courtesy/PhyllisAnne Millus and Michele Buccigrossi)Staten Island Advance
Gem artisan lettuce with local fall apples, roasted pumpkin with cranberries, candied pecans, apple cider and olive oil vinaigrette. (Courtesy/PhyllisAnne Millus and Michele Buccigrossi)Staten Island Advance
Pasta E Patate Con La Provola, Neapolitan pasta and potato with Provola cheese was served as the pasta course. (Courtesy/PhyllisAnne Millus and Michele Buccigrossi)Staten Island Advance
Up next is pasta e patate (potatoes) con la Provola, Neapolitan pasta and potato with provola cheese, beef pizzaiola with porcini mushrooms, flat iron steak filets braised with Mutti tomatoes and porcini, seabass filet Ischia style, fennel cherry tomatoes, olives, and vino bianco, farro and fall vegetables, risotto style.
Fresh sea bass filet Ischia style, left, and beef pizzaiola with porcini, flat iron steak filets braised with Mutti tomatoes and Porcini mushrooms, were among the entrees. (Courtesy/PhyllisAnne Millus and Michele Buccigrossi)Staten Island Advance
The elaborate meal was capped by Chef Sena’s sumptuous selection of desserts — biscotti, gelato, coffees and espresso.
Entertainment was provided by world renowned entertainer/singer/songwriter, Alex Leonard, joined by Chef Sena on trumpet and Professor Louis Leonini on vocals, who also delivered poignant words about his Italian heritage.
Stefano Sena, executive chef at Bocelli Ristorante, plays the trumpet for the crowd. (Courtesy PhyllisAnne Millus and Michele Buccigrossi)Staten Island Advance
Professor Louis Leonini addresses the crowd about the Italian culture and heritage. (Courtesy PhyllisAnne Millus and Michele Buccigrossi)Staten Island Advance
“Every year ever since I can remember I’ve been hosting a cooking demonstration for the Italian-American Women of Staten Island,” Sena said.
He added one of the reasons that he loves hosting them is because he gets to tell stories about his family and his mom’s cooking.
“I love it because it’s also challenging – with 50 or 60 Italian women — who are all hands on — they talk about their family as well. And they promote the Italian heritage and they try to keep the Italian traditions for both the older and younger generation.“
Chef Stefano Sena prepares fresh mozzarella for the crowd. (Courtesy/PhyllisAnne Millus and Michele Buccigrossi)Staten Island Advance
Sena emphasized the fact that Sunday dinners are still important.
“The family should gather at least once a week,” he added. “We do it with my family. And that’s what we talk about with the Italian American women — traditions.”
Chef Sena explained that he makes a trip to Italy every year.
“And I try to hit a different region of Italy. This year it was Ischia. And I make the pasta piselli the traditional way they make it in Naples. You have authentic italian cooking from Italy, and you also have Italian-American cooking. In Italy they prepare whatever they could find and what was fresh for that day. That’s how Italian cooking came about. I made pasta piselli they way they prepared it in Italy. The entrees were also prepared in Italian tradition. And the desserts, rum baba and sfogliatelle, are native to the Campania region of Italy.
ITS ORIGINS
Co-founded by the late Eleanor Conforti in 2009 — who was recognized as an Advance Woman of Achievement in 1977 — who served as chairwoman of the group’s annual luncheon, the organization aims to strengthen positive female role models of those who live, work and offer service throughout the community.
Interestingly, Conforti was originally a member of the Staten Island Chapter of the American Committee on Italian Migration (ACIM) based in Manhattan.
The parent organization supported Italian immigrants throughout the city and state, but Conforti felt the break-away from the umbrella organization was necessary.
She said the money being raised was not helping Staten Island as much as it should have been, adding that other board members of the local chapter felt the same.
The mission of the local non-profit, is to provide positive images of Italian/Americans, promote and support Italian culture and continue its traditions through education and philanthropy in our community — and beyond.
CONTRIBUTIONS AND SUPPORT
The Italian American Women of Staten Island also support local cultural organizations, including the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, which preserves the history of Giuseppe Garibaldi and Antonio Meucci.
Eager to help all people in need on the local level regardless of their heritage background, members also host myriad fundraisers and contribute donations to support local programs directed toward both children and adults.
The Italian-American Women of Staten Island have donated funds to keep up programs at the museum, including its Italian language program for adults, its school educational program and the Mommy and Me program.
Kudos to members of the Italian-American Women of Staten Island, who have made significant contributions and serve as leaders, organizers and cultural role models who are lead by Co-Presidents, Michele Buccigrossi and Audrey LoPresti, Vice President, PhyllisAnne Millus, Treasurer, Michele Faljean, Corresponding Secretary, Vincenza Gallassio, Recording Secretary, Patricia Mezzacappa, and Chair of the event and former President, Connie DeFrancesco.
CELEBRATIONS – NOV. 23 TO NOV. 29
NOV. 23
Sunday is birthday time for Senator Charles Schumer, Bert Barry, Jonathan Neal, Kim Barcia, Justine Cauldwell, Marie DuBois, Rosemary Adamski, and Anthony Viola who turns 29. ¶
NOV. 24
Birthday greetings on Monday go to Lucille Herring, Ann V. McGinley, and twins Andrew and Justin Ducey Chiacchiero .
NOV. 25
Birthday best on Tuesday to Prudence Ingram, Justin Cauldwell, Victor Reindl Sr. of New Springville, Alan Moses, and Joseph B. Wilson.
Happy wedding anniversary Tuesday to Elizabeth and Frank Palaia.
NOV. 26
The happiest of birthdays Wednesday to Rev. Michael Martine, pastor of Holy Rosary R.C. Church, to Tom Gangemi, Vito Arcabasio, Martin Cusack, Phil Balletto, Charles John Romano Jr., who turns 25, Kimberly Arale, and Kevin Duffy. ¶
NOV. 27
Celebrating birthdays on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, are Eileen Kavanagh, Jim Turrisi Jr., Robert Pearsall, Lynn Sexton, Amanda Nicole Collins, Vebi Causevic, Anthony Tramontano, Lisa Andersen and Rita LaFata.
Happy Thanksgiving wedding anniversary to Joanne and Andrew Ferris.
NOV. 28
Friday is birthday time for Mary Carucci, Jim Purcaro, Charles John Romano, Collette Lamirand and Kali-Rose DeCristoforo, who turns 17 years-old.
Happy 43rd wedding anniversary to Dr. Larry and Susan Arann.
NOV. 29
Happy birthday on Saturday to Paul Cobb, Bonnie Giovinazzo, twins Shannon and Danielle Piacentino, Lauren Ciocco, Maura Lee Wood, Lumy Rivera, Gene McIntosh, Brielle Smith, Patrick Connelly, Ann Marie Bumbalo, Edith Gerhard and Marie D’Amica.
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Dining and Cooking