Cesare Casella is the Dean of our Italian Culinary Academy. He is a world class chef and one most knowledgeable food people I know. He is also a doll. I was asked to help out at a fundraiser for one of my favorite libraries, the Gunn Memorial in Washington, CT. My daughter Olivia and I spent hours there when she was young. It is a terrific place for readers of all ages, but we lived in the children’s section. Both Olivia and I wanted to get involved to help the library, so we hosted a dinner. Cesare and his fabulous family gave up their June weekend to come up and cook.
The meal, as they say, was to die for. The antipasti consisted of the exquisite salumi from Salumeria Rosi (at 73rd and Amsterdam in NYC). Perfect Parmesan cheese. We were filling ourselves with that when the faro with crab and calamari was served as a primi. The secondo was phenomenal grilled sea bass stuffed with rosemary, then minted baby lamb chops, finishing off with porterhouse steak Fiorentina. It was a feast! Olivia’s photos capture the essence of the food and the chef. Buon Appetito (with your eyes!) Thank you Cesare!!!
