Chef of the Month
Theresa Mowery, Mama Louisa’s Italian Restaurant
Mama Louisa’s Italian Restaurant has been a Tucson landmark since 1956 when it was built on a dirt road by Davis Monthan Air Force Base. It was bought from the original owners, the Casadei family in 1973 by the Elefante family. The restaurant is now run by two sisters from the family, Suzanne Elefante and Theresa Mowery who is the Chef.
Theresa started working at her family’s restaurant in 1977 at the age of 15 with Suzanne’s husband Joe Jr. who was the chef at that time. She learned how make and age the sauce; to make pasta–everything about the great dishes that have been the mainstay of Mama Louisa’s for all these years. When Joe Jr. died in 1988, she became head chef.
Theresa enjoys making items from scratch, watching her make Manicotti, Eggplant, Lasagna and other homemade dishes is like watching an artist at work. Often purveyors come in and say how good everything smells, she laughs and says, “that’s because we actually make things here.”
CLASSES AND SEMINARS
MASTER CLASSES
There are just two spots left for the 2012 winter session of the Tucson Originals Hands-on Master Classes which kicks off in February. At the first class, learn how to make the perfect braised Prime Rib with fabulous side dishes alongside Chef Jason Jonilonis executive Chef at Casino del Sol. $600 per person for the series or add your name to the waiting list for single classes at $100 per class. All classes are from 6-9pm. Contact Colette Landeen at tucsonoriginals@gmail.com or call 520-343-9985.
- February 7 - Chef Jason Jonilonis, Casino Del Sol
- February 21 - Chef Rocco DiGrazia, Rocco’s Little Chicago
- March 6 - Chef Ryan Clark, Lodge on the Desert
- March 20 - Chef Edgar Mendians, Dakota Café
- April 3 - Chef Doug Levy, Feast
- April 17 - Chef Angel Fabian, Vero Amore/Noble Hops
CLASSES IN THE COTSWOLDS WITH CHEF ALBERT HALL
Enjoy an 8-day culinary adventure beginning on June 9th with Chef Hall in the idyllic, countryside of England. Cook with the chef in an elegant farmhouse kitchen while enjoying all that Cotswold’s has to offer–local tours of charming historic villages, beautiful public gardens, country pubs, and more. Go behind-the-scenes at restaurants, pubs, markets, and creameries and then cap off with two exciting nights in London. Space is limited to 14 guests. Get all the details at: http://www.gateway-destinations.com/custom-tour/cooking-in-england-with-chef-albert-hall/.
CLASSES AT JANOS WITH CHEF JANOS WILDER
School is back in session at Janos starting Saturday, January 21, 2012, followed by 3 more classes on February 11, 2012, March 17, 2012 and April 28, 2012.
- Jan, 21, 1:00 - 3:30pm - Traditional Mexican Cooking For Today. Janos will demonstrate the preparation of; Street Vendor’s Corn, Yucatan Cochinita Pibil, Lamb Barbacoa and Mushroom Chilaquiles. Price per person: $50 per class -or- 4 for $180. Call 520-615-6100 for details.
COCKTAIL CLASSES AT CASINO DEL SOL RESORT
Saturday, February 18 - 2:00 - 4:30pm - Cocktail Class #1 - Classic Cocktails & Techniques.
Join Mixologist Aaron DeFeo, and guests from the US Bartenders’ Guild for an exciting afternoon of classic cocktails! Discover the historic origins of some of the world’s most beloved cocktails, and how to make them using the freshest ingredients. $25 per person. Contact Aaron at aaron.defeo@solcasinos.com or call (520) 838-6687.
THE RESTAURANTS AT CASINO DEL SOL RESORT
PY STEAKHOUSE
For reservations call (520) 324-9350.
- Mayacamas Wine Dinner - a three-course dinner with wine from the Famous Mayacama Winery. $45.00 per person; Tuesday, Feb 7th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm ~ For reservations call (520) 324-9350.
- Grgich Hills Dinner - a three-course dinner with wine from the Famous Grgich Hills Estate Winery. $45.00 per person; Thursday, February 9th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm ~ For reservations call (520) 324-9350.
- PY Prime Rib Night - Every Wednesday ~ $19 per person; includes 10 oz. Prime Rib, w/roasted garlic, rosemary au jus, horseradish cream, loaded baked potato, seasonal vegetable and glass of Chalone Cabernet Sauvignon.
Prema
- Mix Social Hour, Monday - Friday, 5:00pm - 7:00pm ~ $4 well drinks & draught beer, $5 call drinks, $6 premium & specialty cocktails.
Tequila Factory
- Prime Rib Thursdays - Every Thursday ~ prime rib, loaded baked potato, dinner salad & a roll. 8oz - $12 -or- 14oz - $18.
Moby’s
- All you can eat Pancake Special - Every Thursday 6:00am - 11:00pm ~ $4.00 per person.
PASTICHE HAS A NEW CHEF!
It’s true…Chef Marc Panas has joined the Pastiche Family! Owners Pat and Julie Conners invite you to stop by Pastiche, meet Marc and try some of his amazing specials…and look for an exciting new menu in the upcoming weeks. Pastiche is located at 3025 N Campbell Ave. Phone 520-325-3333.
http://www.pasticheme.com.
JAZZ AT CUSHING STREET
Looking for great jazz in Tucson? Look no further than Cushing Street Bar and Restaurant. Every Saturday night, from 7:00 to 10:00pm, enjoy “modern and cool” tunes by Jeff Lewis and Friends.
http://www.cushingstreet.com.
GIFT CERTIFICATES
There’s still a great selection of Gift Certificates left to purchase on our website at greatly reduced prices. Ranging from $10 to $50 in value – all are discounted at 50% off the face value.
Visit our Gift Certificates Website Page.
VALENTINES DAY IS FOR FOOD LOVERS
Be sure to visit our Facebook page for a complete list of member Valentine’s Day offerings…from deliciously simple fare to elegant prix fixe celebrations, share a wonderful holiday meal with someone you love.
https://www.facebook.com/tucsonoriginalsrestaurants?sk=app_6009294086.
ORIGINALS IN THE COMMUNITY
BOOKS PRESENTATION
Tucson Original President Rocco DiGrazia was at the Library at Diamond Children’s on Jan. 18th to help present the last of over 7000 books purchased during the Barnes and Noble holiday drive for the kids being treated at the medical center. As a thank you from the Tucson Originals, anyone who purchased a book during the drive received a special offer from member restaurants good through Jan 1st.
Photo credit Tom Sanders. Left to right: Kent Rollins (UAMC Foundation,) Rocco DiGrazia (Tucson Originals,) Jenny Von Berg & Valerie Burnside (Barnes and Noble,) Lynn DiAntonio (Librarian, Diamond Children’s.)
STUDENT CHEFS
For the past year, Chef Ryan Clark - Tucson Originals Copper Chef Champion and Exec Chef at Lodge on the Desert, has been mentoring Tucson’s American Culinary Federation Students - the future chefs of our community. Under his expert tutelage, the group of five Jr chefs won top honors in local competition last year. This win positioned them to compete in the ACF Regional Conference in March in Reno, Nevada. In an effort to make sure the team is able to make the trip, Chef Clark is seeking donations on their behalf to help cover expenses including travel, room and board as well as ingredients and equipment needed for the competition. Sponsors will receive special recognition for their generosity in an upcoming issue of this newsletter which is sent to over 7000 people. To help or for details contact: Ryan Clark ryan.clark@lodgeonthedesert.com, phone 520-320-2007.
ORIGINAL MEMBER TO CHAIR AUTISM WALK/RUN BENEFIT
Tucson Originals member Jack Weger, owner of Venice Restaurant and Pizzeria, is the Food & Beverage Chair for the Autism Society Greater Tucson Walk/Run on April 1, 2011 at the UA mall. He invites you to participate in this very worthwhile event. For details, www.autism-society.org.
RIC’S CAFE
Jack A’hern, Chef/owner of Ric’s Café, is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Lorna Ahern & Trak “Cowboy Up” Fundraiser Event will take place on March 4th from 3-7pm at the café. Jack (and his late wife Lorna,) is an active supporter of Trak - a therapeutic ranch for kids and animals. http://www.traktucson.org.
The event will include live entertainment, a silent and live auction, raffle, petting zoo and buffet barbecue with chicken, pulled pork and all the fixings. $35 for adults; $15 for kids under 12. Tickets can be purchased at Trak or at the door on that day of the event.
CHEFS SCENE AROUND TOWN
“On the Menu Live”
with Matt Russell ~ KJLL 1330AM ~ Thursdays 5-6pm
- February 23rd
Chef Addam Buzzalini, Maynards Market & Kitchen.
“Fun with Food”
at the Children’s Museum Tucson ~ 2-3pm ~ 200 South 6th Avenue
- February 24th
Chef Mike from Cup Café at Hotel Congress. Free with admission, reservations are required (520) 792-9985.