Chef's Dinner Series Presents... The Italian Summer Kitchen by Chef Cathy Whims
June 27, 2025
Chef's Dinner Series celebrates the launch of a beautifully illustrated cookbook from Chef Cathy Whims, full of recipes to transport you to the full, bright flavors of sun-drenched summers in Italy. In The Italian Summer Kitchen: Timeless Recipes for La Dolce Vita, Cathy brings together dishes from Italy’s varied regions, united by her masterful interpretation of "cucina povera" highlighting seasonal produce, local meats, handmade pasta, and simple cooking methods.
Chef Cathy Whims is a six-time James Beard nominee for best chef for her Portland, Oregon flagship restaurant Nostrana and her influence on 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 her new cookbook showcasing her deep love of Italian culture and its interplay with seasonal cooking.
Advance copies of the book are available with your ticket purchase! Chef Cathy Whims has planned an exciting menu that evokes the culinary diversity of regional Italian cuisine.
Please join us for this special evening of refined yet rustic Italian dining featuring a 5-course tasting menu expertly paired with exquisite wines. The venue is a special place, too; Chef's Dinner Table is a private culinary salon tucked away in a downtown NYC loft offering the ultimate experience in luxury private dining.
Note: all food, drink and gratuities are included with your ticket purchase, so you don't need to worry about settling a bill at the end of the night.
THE MENU
Canapés
Zucchini fritters
Landmass Wines Heavy Glow Sparkling Rosé, Columbia River Gorge OR 2023
Sbagliato cocktails sponsored by Campari!
1st Course
Soft shell crab with herbed rémoulade
Ovum Aligote, Willamette Valley OR 2021
2nd Course
Zucchini carpaccio with tomato vinaigrette
Landmass Wines Chenin Blanc, Rogue Valley OR 2024
3rd course
Risotto with cantaloupe and prosciutto
Purple Hands Winery Haakon/Lenai Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills OR 2022
4th course
Lamb chops with Parmesan and breadcrumbs
Purple Hands Winery Haakon/Lenai Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills OR 2022
Ovum Syrah, Willamette Valley OR 2021
5th course
Spumoni!
*Vegetarian alternatives provided for each course, with advance request
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cathy Whims is a six-time James Beard Award finalist for “Best Chef: Northwest,” and 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.