About Simple & Fresh

After publishing his first cookbook, Edward Pankonin decided he wanted to take a more hands-on approach to teaching others about food. He wanted to expand on what he'd written about his Italian family, dating back to their American emigration in the late 1800s—and share their beloved recipes with even more people. And so, he and his wife Nora opened a cooking school and named it for his book: Simple & Fresh.

This school doesn't just teach recipes, though. Modeled after the cooking schools of Italy, Simple & Fresh relies on fresh ingredients and sources flavors the Pankonins found throughout their travels, including that one time they raided an olive baron's pantry. During regular and specialty classes, students delve into seasonal dishes, learn Italian bread-baking or stuffed pasta-making, and prepare regional dishes from across Italy. Every session is completely hands-on and allows participants to experiment with the techniques they learn. To help students replicate these recipes at home, the school's grocery offers imported and housemade goods such as rustic pasta sauces, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and baked desserts.