Growing up in New York with a Jewish mother and an Italian father, food was always at the center 
of family gatherings. Each Sunday, with rare exceptions, my entire extended family on my father’s side would gather, early in the day at my grandma Angelina’s home where the cousins would play all day, and the adults would visit against the rich backdrop of familiar and delicious aromas from Grandma’s kitchen. By mid-afternoon, although we had shared similar meals countless times, we all sat down to the huge table with almost giddy excitement and anticipation. If you were lucky, grandma would let you have a pre-dinner sampling of meatball or sausage in the kitchen, or give you a hunk of Italian bread to sample the sauce, which, incredibly enough, seemed more delicious each passing Sunday.
During the week, meals with my immediate family were smaller and shorter in duration, but no less important. My mother is also a superb cook, and the table of my childhood was always covered with fresh, healthful and delicious dishes.
I learned a lot about cooking from my mother and my grandmother. I also learned a lot from talented chefs during the times I lived in Europe. More important than the recipes and cooking techniques they taught me, was the unmatched joy each shared for serving great food so that others could enjoy meals around their table with friends and family.
My goal is the same as my wonderful mentors. That is why it is a joy and privilege to cook fresh, healthful, and delicious meals for you.
~ Angela Verrastro
Read Angela's Woodbury Bulletin Interview 02/14/07