Portobello hosts farmers' market inspired cooking class on August 4

Portobello, a downtown Disney Italian dining spot and Tony Mantuano, author and chef/partner of Chicago’s Spiaggia, Cafe Spiaggia and Bar Toma, are bringing local Orlando farmers together for a Farmer’s Market themed cooking class on Saturday August 4 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. The event is largely inspired by the relationship that Portobello has with local produce purveyor, Vine Ripe Produce.

Additional farmers include: 

·         Lake Meadows Naturals, who is providing poultry and egg products

·         Jason Farms, providing eggplant and okra 

Portobello’s Executive Chef Steven Richard and Chef Tony Mantuano have hand-selected a group of farmers that will provide inspiration for the day’s class as well as new dishes for the restaurant’s menu, that incorporate items from the local farmers.  The five course meal includes:

·         First course: Pizza dough demonstration, including dough recipe and treatment and a simple tomato sauce recipe

·         Second course: Pickle demonstration with local seasonal okra and green tomatoes, served with eggplant fries

·         Third course: ‘Egg in Purgatory’ demonstration of new menu item to be added to Portobello’s menu, featuring local cage free egg from Lake Meadow Naturals

·         Fourth course: Roasted chicken thigh demonstration, featuring poultry from Lake Meadow Naturals

·         Five course: Rustic presentation of dark Valrhona chocolate with parmigiano spade and Port pairings  

During the class, guests will have the opportunity to sample the dishes, as well as cocktails crafted by Portobello’s beverage manager. In addition, participants may preview the seasonal menu and drink specials, and have a chance to win seats to a future cooking class for two.  

Cost of the class is 49.95 per person plus tax. To reserve, contact Portobello at 407-934-8888.  

About Portobello

Portobello restaurant is a relaxing trattoria that immediately transports guests to the Tuscan countryside with its warmly rustic interior décor and outdoor alfresco dining. Portobello’s wood burning oven lends delicious flavor to the bounty of the Italian countryside. Crusty breads, sun-ripened tomatoes, imported Prosciutto di Parma, freshly caught fish, fruity olive oils and sharp, pungent cheeses are all accentuated by the comforting ambiance of Portobello. For details, visit www.portobellorestaurant.com.  

About Tony Mantuano

Most often recognized as one of the Champions on season two, of Bravos’ “Top Chef Masters” Chef Tony Mantuano is also internationally regarded as an influential culinary force, Chef Tony Mantuano is the chef/partner at Spiaggia, the only four-star Italian restaurant in Chicago.  Awarded the 2005 James Beard Foundation Award for “Best Chef: Midwest,” Mantuano worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy before opening Spiaggia in 1984 to critical acclaim, and has since gone on to win The Chicago Tribune’s highest culinary prize, “The Good Eating Award” and named a Food & Wine “Best New Chef” in 1986.  His other ventures include Mangia Trattoria in his hometown of Kenosha, Wisconsin, chef/partner of Terzo Piano at the Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago, and the recently opened Bar Toma in Chicago. Mantuano is a cookbook author, television personality and has been covered in the media in outlets such as, “Nightline,” “The TODAY Show,” “MARTHA,” The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Food & Wine, Wine Spectator and Bon Appétit, among others. Chef Mantuano and Spiaggia held their one Michelin star in the 2012 Chicago guide. Under Chef Mantuano’s leadership Spiaggia continues to mark the culinary map, highlighting unique and “first seen” in the U.S. Italian products and producers.