The Italian Summer Kitchen Cookbook: Timeless Recipes for La Dolce Vita by Cathy Whims | Authentic Italian Cuisine for Outdoor Dining, Dinner Parties & Family Gatherings

Cathy Whims -  six-time James Beard Award finalist for “Best Chef: Northwest,” has left a mark on Portland’s culinary scene as Chef-Owner of Nostrana, an institution celebrating its 20th anniversary this October. She is also the author of The Italian Summer Kitchen: Timeless Recipes for La Dolce Vita, her debut cookbook. With a career spanning more than 40 years, Cathy introduced Portland to the nuanced flavors of Italian cooking and the concept of sourcing locally. Her philosophy emphasizes the importance of cultivating relationships and connections with farmers, winemakers, and artisans in both Portland and Italy.

In addition to Nostrana, Cathy has influenced Portland’s dining landscape through concepts such as Oven & Shaker and Enoteca Nostrana. An educator at heart, Cathy shares her expertise through international culinary tours, cooking classes, and now through the recipes in The Italian Summer Kitchen, showcasing her deep love of Italian culture and its interplay with seasonal cooking. Cathy also actively supports community initiatives, serving on the board of Scuola Italiana di Portland and collaborating with the Culinary Breeding Network. Through her restaurants and ongoing endeavors, Cathy Whims remains a beacon of creativity, mentorship, and passion in Portland’s dining scene and beyond.

Viola Buitoni, a San Francisco based chef instructor and food writer, was born in Rome and raised in Perugia, Italy. With stories and knowledge from six generations, her recipes cross the best of local agriculture with Italian artisanal foods. Italy by Ingredient is her first cookbook.

Viola teaches Italian modern home cooking classes virtually via Milk Street Cooking School in Boston, and in person at 18Reasons, and The Civic Kitchen in San Francisco. In spring and fall, she leads immersive culinary tours through off the beaten path Italy.

In 2020 the President of the Italian Republic awarded her the the title of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia for her work to further the culture and business of Italian food

The Italian Summer Kitchen - For a culinary tour of Italy, or a master class in creating the nation’s many regional gems in your home kitchen, you couldn’t ask for a better tour guide than Cathy Whims. In her debut cookbook, Cathy brings together dishes from Italy’s many and varied regions, united by her masterful interpretation of cucina povera―literally “food of the poor,” which means fresh produce, local meats, handmade pasta and pizza, and simple cooking methods.

These recipes for drinks, appetizers, pasta, pizza, risottos, meat and fish, and desserts are united not by region but by feeling: everything is authentically Italian yet easy for the home cook to create no matter where they live. Step-by-step instructions demystify essential skills like how to make fresh pasta, cook a perfect risotto, and craft heavenly, light-as-a-cloud gnocchi. Readers will find tips and techniques from professional chefs and everyday home cooks, seasoned with Cathy’s always-engaging wit and reflections on history and on food, life, travel, and more.