WESTERLY — Now approaching her 20th year in business, Joyce’s Everyday Gourmet owner Joyce Amedeo will be the guest chef at the Dante Society of Westerly’s annual Anna Turrisi Cooking Demonstration on Oct. 15.
The celebration of Italian cuisine and community, when guests can take home a new recipe to try themselves, will take place at the Calabrese Club, 28 Pleasant St., and tickets typically go fast.
Amedeo will be cooking what she calls “Chicken Anna,” a “one-dish wonder, everything together,” vegetables including tomatoes, spinach and artichokes, chicken and pasta, no side-dishes necessary, she said.
“The Dante Society’s Cooking Demonstration is more than just a sit-down meal,” Dante Society Special Events Committee Chairman Joe Morrone said. “It includes a video of the featured chef cooking the dish, followed by a Q&A session with the chef. After the meal there is a raffle, a silent auction and a live auction.”
The dinner pays homage to the late Anna Turrisi, for whom the event is named. One of the founders of the Dante Society, Turrisi was well-loved and well-known for her passion for good cooking and good food. Desserts and coffee are also served at the dinner.
The evening begins at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30. The video presentation, typically between 10 and 20 minutes, begins at 6:15. After the demonstration and Q&A, guests will enjoy a full sit-down dinner prepared and served by Westerly High School’s award-winning culinary students. The evening will also include a basket raffle and auction.
Amedeo operates Joyce’s Everyday Gourmet, a prepared foods to-go, in the Mill Pond Plaza here in Westerly. Her culinary philosophy emphasizes the art of dining at home, featuring freshly prepared meals and carefully selected ingredients that are ready for takeout.
Amedeo’s 20th anniversary operating Joyce’s will be in November, “which is crazy,” she said.
Dante Society President Lou Toscano said proceeds from the event will support the Dante Society of Westerly’s student awards program, which recognizes achievement in the study of Italian language and community service, as well providing educational grants for teachers of Italian in local schools.
Admission is $40 per person. Tickets are available online through the Dante Society of Westerly website, dantesocietywesterly.org, by credit card and in person at the Chamber of Commerce by cash or check. A limited number of reserved table packages are also available online.
For tickets and additional information, visit the website or email eventbrochures@dantesocietywesterly.org.
The Dante Society of Westerly is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Italian heritage, culture, traditions and community while supporting educational opportunities through scholarships and awards. The annual Anna Turrisi Cooking Demonstration is one of the society’s longstanding community events.
Dining and Cooking