Tutore Italian Cooking School in Avondale Will Close After Two Years | Eater Chicago

"Opened in April 2023 in Avondale, the school quickly found its niche teaching Italian cuisine beyond red-sauce Italian-American fare, with packed weekend classes and frequent collaborations with visiting chefs such as John Manion of Brasero and El Che. It was founded by veteran Chicago chef Dean Zanella (whose résumé includes 312 Chicago and Rhapsody) and chef James De Marte—whose previous restaurant, Pisolino, had pivoted to a market during the pandemic—and joined by pastry chef Mollie Mettelka. Despite strong demand and healthy finances (“my accountant asks if we’re printing money”), the owners decided to close because Zanella wants more time with his young twin daughters and could not sustain the weekend coverage the business required. The operation will exit by the end of June to allow a new operator to set up by July 1; followers are advised to monitor the website and Instagram for flash sales, last-minute classes and products, and Mettelka has plans for the space with more details expected in the coming weeks." - Ashok Selvam