Authentic Italian Deli and Marketplace Just Italy Offers Italian Cooking Classes

A culinary adventure is underway in Metairie at Just Italy Deli & Italian Marketplace, an Italian deli “Straordinario” (extraordinary), where the cooking traditions of Italy can be explored through their exquisite selections of imported cheeses, meats, olives and specialty food items.

Just Italy, 708 Aris Ave., will host a series of cooking classes that teach Italian cuisine fundamentals, history and techniques with tasting of regional product. Classes are being presented by local culinary historian and food editor Sandra Scalise Juneau, whose passion for teaching and writing about our regional food culture has been influenced particularly by her two Sicilian grandmothers who taught her about Italian traditions of food as art. Each class focuses on a specific menu course such as risotto, pastries and even Italian Christmas cookies.

Classes focus on the following:

• Risotto (savory and sweet rice dishes), Wed., Nov. 14
• Biscotti di Natale (Christmas Cookies), Wed., Dec. 5
• Dolci di Ricotta (sweetened ricotta desserts, such as cannoli, cassata and cassateda), Wed., Dec. 19

Classes are $30 per person including all cooking supplies and ingredients. Classes start at 7 p.m. Class sizes are limited; reservations are available by calling Just Italy at 504-832-9292.

Scalise Juneau, of Madisonville, is an instructor of Sicilian Pastry Arts at Nichols State University Culinary Institute and has served as a Culinary Arts Instructor at LSU-Baton Rouge and Southeastern University in Hammond. She also has served as a culinary history consultant for the Smithsonian Institute and for “The Encyclopedia of Cajun & Creole Cuisine” by Chef John D. Folse, CEC, AAC. She is food editor for Bonne Bouchee, a feature of InsideNorthside magazine.

Just Italy Deli & Italian Market was opened in May 2007 by Metairie businessman John Bellini. Just Italy Deli & Italian Market has quickly become a favorite destination for locals seeking the finest in gourmet imported meats, cheeses, olives, olive oil and specialty food items as well as in-house baked Italian cookies and pastries.

Open lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, Just Italy Deli & Italian Market serves hot freshly prepared original Bellini’s Panini sandwiches, authentic Muffaletta, fresh sausages, artichokes and pasta dishes made daily. Just Italy Deli & Italian Market also features a full catering menu. Just Italy Deli & Italian Market is located at 708 Aris Ave., just a half block off Veterans Memorial Boulevard.