Rita Venturino's Italian Table/Testimonials

“I always have a great time when I attend one of Rita’s classes. Not only do we learn to make some of the best food I’ve ever had, but we also do so in a warm, friendly environment. Even if you don’t know anyone when you walk in the door, you’ve made several friends by the time you walk out! Great fun!”

...Pam Wigley, Mars, PA

Dear Rita' Thank you for sharing yourself and your culinary wizardry with us! The scrumptious recipes are just an added bonus! You have to be the best cooking instructor in southwestern PA, and definitely one of the most personable. Feel free to use this letter as a tesimonial: you are simply fabulous!

...Joanna

Rita's class is a gift that first you give to yourself, and then share the incredibe recipes with family and friends. The experience of an evening cooking with Pittsburgh's best Italian cooking instructor, and the pleasure of keeping company with wonderful people is priceless.

Gerry

Rita,

Your classes are so informative. Not only do we learn the art of Italian cooking, but you provide us with some wonderful stories, tips and shortcuts about the various recipes you have created. You are a gracious hostess who not only teaches the class but brings warmth and camaraderie to the classroom as well. Looking forward to many more visits to your Italian table.

Maria

Since I have been going to Rita’s classes, I no longer avoid trying any recipe because it looks too hard or time-consuming. I have learned so much from her including techniques, shortcuts, good food, etc. I ask many questions, and Rita always has an answer. I can call or e-mail her at any time and she tries to help. I have had many wonderful experiences at her classes and also made some nice friends. Thank you Rita!!

Anita

"Rita's Italian Table: Our evening at your home was fantastic. My friends and I totally enjoyed the meal and learned new cooking skills and recipes from you. You cook with so much enthusiasm and love for great foods. We have agreed to practice our newfound skills, replicating your recipes in our kitchens! Thanks so much!"

Sincerely, Barb Minzenberg

"Thank you, Rita. The evening will long be remembered as a wonderful time. You are a gracious host and I know I will see you again; I will be talking about the evening for a long, long time. I know friends and family will want to meet you."

Ciao, Pat Connolly

"Rita, Thank you for a lovely evening and the delicios food and professional presentation. It was a pleasure to meet you. Best of luck with your up and coming cookbook."

Regards, Cheryl Casebeer

"Rita, Thank you. What a very nice class, and what a lesson in meal preparation, cooking, and entertainment you presented us this evening.....Everyone had an enjoyable and informative evening...your menu selection absolutely inspired all of us to cook this weekend and entertain friends and family. Thanks a million. Your hospitality made us feel so welcomed and the goodie bag was quite out of the ordinary. This evening I had arrange with you and your cooking skills was the perfect present for my family!! Please accept my sincere appreciation for your efforts. They were outstanding, not to mention delicious!"

Yvonne Micelli

"Rita, As always, your presentation was flawless and the combination of recipes you chose was exceptional. I'm not surprised at the results knowing how much of a perfect perfectionist you are. I pray that you have the good health, good
fortune and energy to keep going strong for a long time."

Joanna Sideris

"Rita, you did it again!!!! Here we were in your "playpen" teaching us how to make Christmas cookies and all of us girls were having so much fun and memories were coming back to us of our childhood with the ones we loved.....your classes are magical and special...we forget about the world around us for a few hours...THANKYOU!"

Yvonne Miceli

"Rita, I can't think of anything I ever enjoyed more prior to the holiday than last night's class with all of you! It brought back so many wonderful memories....... and the smell of the cookies baking was delightful as was the ending when we all enjoyed them. Rita, your classes are just so first rate.....thank you."

Martha Sproul

"Dear Rita,

What a delightful and delicious evening! We had such a good time and we even managed to learn some tips on cooking. An Italian cooking lesson with Rita would make a great gift for the holidays!"

Dear Rita,

"When I first met you, I was immediately struck by the attractive lady with the vivacious personality. Two hours and four recipes later, I was hooked for life! Not only were the results delicious, but they were presented in such a manner that I could go home and replicate everything we sampled. There are many cooking teachers, but few can convey the knowledge and demonstrate the skills needed to their students.Your professionalism and passion for your subject shine through. So, kudos, lady, and sign me up for everything!"

Joanna Sideris

"P. S. I've lost track of how many times I made your tomato basil tart..."

"Learning the subtleties of Italian cooking is an expression that only Rita can provide. Her warmth and enthusiasm are infectious and the learning environment within her home adds to the ambiance of the experience."

Maria Talpas

"Rita,

I am always impressed with your cooking class. Wonderful instruction and background information. The quality of the food was amazing.. I will definitely repeat the experience. My family can not wait until I take your next class. You have made me a better cook! Thanks for sharing your talents!"

Holly Cyphers

Here's a group having a fun evening!

"Rita,

I thank you. You are an amazing and just such a nice woman. I love your style of cooking and tips! The food was so wonderful."

Anita Garbo

Rita,

I thoroughly loved the class, and can't wait to take another one of your classes....the food was excellent and you were an excellent teacher....you were down to earth, making us feel very right at home. Thank you.

Kitty Berkstresser

"Rita

You'll be pleased to know I had my husband's family over tonight and made the bruschetta, the pistachio salad, the roasted asparagus and the vegetable lasagna! Everything was awesome!!! My family was very impressed and my vegetarian sister-in-law was in heaven that she could actually eat everything."

Annmarie Lyons

"Buongiorno Rita, I absolutely loved your class and the dinner was excellent. I had fun, I learned a lot, and I enjoyed a great meal. I hope to attend more classes depending on my and your schedule."

We did so enjoy ourselves in your kitchen! Thank you for sharing your gifts. You are a true inspiration.

I look forward to more learning and good eating in your fabulous kitchen. Thanks."

"Every meal at "Rita's Italian Table" has been a wonderful experience. The chef, the recipes, the conversation and the company at each dinner I've attended has surpassed my expectations. It's an evening that every individual or couple that enjoys the atmosphere of a warm and inviting kitchen and host should reserve. The hands on experience and the way Rita showed me how easy it is to do things has inspired me to be more creative and adventurous in my home cooking. Thanks Rita for the confidence you have instilled in my cooking abilities and your ever helpful teachings."

"I so enjoyed your holiday cookie class. The recipes are delicious and the tips are most helpful. The hands-on learning experience is hard to beat! You make the class very engaging with your warm personality and the stories that you share. I look forward to attending future classes!"

Thank YOU for the wonderful dinner. Robin & I kept commenting on your amazing tiramisu the entire car ride home. We plan to make it together sometime for our husbands.

Rita, I loved your class where we learned how to make Pizza Chena. Your classes are so relaxing and inspiring in your beautiful kitchen. I made Pizza Chena for my grandson's Baptism Day celebration and it made a perfect Brunch item. Thanks for a beautiful recipe.

"Your Italian Appetizer class was wonderful! These hearty treats will be a welcome addition to my holiday menu planning. Your expert advice is well taken and the fact that you made EVERYTHING look so easy was a real bonus. I am looking forward to the Italian Holiday Cookie class. I can't wait to see what's up your sleeve!"

"I had a wonderful time "cooking with Rita." She made everything easy to understand, and she explained everything about each recipe as we learned how to prepare a traditional Italian meal. From salad to dessert, Rita helped our class learn how to make cooking easy and enjoyable! You can tell from her teaching that she loves what she does, and it made her class something beyond the usual. I would definitely go to more classes!"

"Rita Venturino certainly lives the logo printed on her business card. 'cooks with passion'.
Sporting her trademark red rose on her lapel, this vivacious Italian cook enlightened & entertained the students in the Italian Christmas Cookie culinary class at Polly's Pantry. The evening was a sensory smorgasbord of delicious aromas from the oven and taste samplings of the biscotti's and Pignoli cookies. Rita's organization and presentation were flawless - full of culinary tips and examples plus stories of her Italian heritage. Stir in a generous portion of Rita's wit and warmth and you can be sure that we all went away richer (and fuller)."

"When you take a class with Rita you can expect three things: professionalism, fun and delicious food. Rita makes complicated things easy and encourages students to try, 'it's do-able' says Rita. Don't miss any opportunity to cook with Rita."

"I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your class on making Italian cookies at Polly's Pantry. The cookies were all delicious. It was generous of you to share the recipes and enjoyable to hear the stories behind them."

"Rita captured the attention of the class and made us feel part of the process as she presented step-by-step instructions clearly and thoroughly. She respected her audience, and when questions arose, she took the time to answer them. As she talked and worked her way through the recipes, she imparted confidence to her class that we, too, could successfully make those cookie recipes. It was great to see the finished product -- perfect cookies! I wouldn't hesitate to attend a future cooking class taught by Rita."