Lunch like an Italian

Once in a while a brand comes along that you feel a real connection with. For me, Lucini Italia was one of those brands. Towards the end of last year their team reached out and asked me about cooking for them and a group of invited guests to shine a spotlight on their recently launched line of fresh tomato sauces and dressings. I was very familiar with Lucini olive oil and balsamic vinegar and leaped at the opportunity to work with their brand. 

I worked with my team over at Lady and Larder to create an Italian inspired cheese and charcuterie display featuring locally made Italian cheeses and cured meats, heads of roasted garlic, marinated peppers, olives, nuts, fresh and dried fruit and crusty grilled bread brushed with Lucini olive oil.  

Once the guests were seated, we served a farmers market salad with shaved fennel and warm brown butter croutons followed by family-style platters of slow braised heirloom beans and kale over spicy tomato sauce, chicken meatballs with fresh burrata and calabrian chili and grilled farmers market vegetables drizzled with balsamic and herbs. For dessert, we worked with Nancy's Fancy gelato and served a duo of butterscotch budino and chocolate fondente topped with olive oil and sea salt. 

Here are some of the beautiful images captured by Monica Wang showing the incredible details that went into creating this spring luncheon. The location was in an outdoor space at one of my favorite places in Los Angeles, Rolling Green Nursery. Huge thank you to the team over at Soda Pop PR, Sami at Rolling Greens and the ladies of Lucini for being so lovely to work with. 

Serve ware was supplied by Dish Wish.

xx