Even though Tutore Italian Cooking School, which opened in April 2023 in Avondale, had found its niche, the owners have decided to close the operation this summer. Co-owner Dean Zanella says he wants to spend more time with his family.
There’s no exact closing date, but Zanella says Tutore will exit by the end of June to give the new operator time to set up shop by July 1. Zanella, a veteran Chicago chef who’s worked at 312 Chicago and Rhapsody, among other restaurants, opened Tutore two years ago with chef James De Marte. De Marte’s old restaurant, Pisolino, had survived the pandemic by transforming from a full-service restaurant to a market with sandwiches to-go, wine, and gourmet ingredients. Pisolino had built a following, but De Marte wasn’t as excited about the day-to-day grind, especially with road construction near Belmont and Elston slowing foot traffic.
So De Marte and Zanella opened Tutore in the Pisolino space at 2755 W. Belmont Avenue. Pastry chef Mollie Mettelka would also join the team, and the three taught classes, showing Chicagoans there’s more to the cuisine than red sauce Italian-American fare.
Talking with Zanella, it appears Tutore was a success: “My accountant asks if we’re printing money,” he says.
The classes were packed on the weekend, and chefs, like John Manion of Brasero and El Che, frequently collaborated with the school to show their kitchen expertise. However, as Zanella has young twin daughters, the work-life balance wasn’t what he had hoped. Zanella says it wasn’t fair to De Marte and Mettelka when he would ask them to cover for him on weekends, when Tutore was its busiest.
Zanella suggests that fans keep an eye on Tutore’s website and Instagram page in the next few months for flash sales on products and last-second classes. Though Zanella and De Marte are moving on to new ventures, Mettelka has plans for the space. Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks.
Tutore Italian Cooking School, 2755 W. Belmont Avenue, closing at the end of June.
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