If your Nonna’s meatballs, risotto, or pasta dish is the gold standard in your family, this is her moment.
Following last year’s heartfelt celebration, The NONNAS Dinner returns this March, inviting families across the region to submit their most treasured Italian and Mediterranean recipes for a one-of-a-kind dining experience inspired by the Netflix film NONNAS. This special dinner series pays tribute to the love, tradition, and stories passed down through generations, straight from Nonna’s kitchen to the table.
Renowned local chef Anthony Caturano will personally review submissions and select standout recipes to be featured during three Sunday evening dinners held at Tonno Wakefield (March 15), Prezza (March 22), and Tonno Gloucester (March 29). Selected contributors will receive two complimentary tickets to the dinner and will be recognized by name on the official menu.
“The inspiration for this dinner is simple. I was watching NONNAS on Netflix and couldn’t help but think about my mother who passed away at 97 this year. She only had 3 grandchildren but was ‘Nonnie Theresa’ to many. She was a great cook who inspired me, and shared many of her recipes from tripe, to pizzagaina, to her Christmas cookies with many. I laughed as Joe tried to find out the secret to his mother’s gravy because even though my mom shared her recipes, there was always a variable in there somewhere which would require whoever was making the dish to call her and ask her a question during preparation. I’m pretty sure she did it intentionally so they would have to call her! After watching the movie, I was speaking with Anthony, and we thought it might be fun to try and do a dinner like this,” says Managing Partner of Prezza, David Petrilli.
Prezza has been serving authentic Italian cuisine in Boston’s North End since owner Anthony Caturano was just 25 years old. Stemming from Caturano’s Italian roots, Prezza offers authentic Mediterranean and Italian cuisine you can only get from across the pond. Inspired by coastal Italian cooking, Tonno has two locations in Wakefield and Gloucester, MA. Meaning tuna in Italian, Tonno blends dishes from both land and sea.
To enter, visit prezza.com/nonna and submit your recipe along with a short story about what makes it special. Submissions are open now and must be received by September 1, 2025.