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ANNA MARIA FLORIO, the owner of La Cucina at the Market, is a Philadelphia native and the daughter of Italian-born parents from the Campania region of Italy. Her family brought rich traditions of la cucina with them when they emigrated to Philadelphia in the 1960s. Anna grew up speaking Italian in a family where the kitchen was the center of the house. When people came together in their home there was always something cooking. Whatever their backgrounds there was animated conversation, laughing and sharing of passionate tales of food. During her childhood she spent summers in Benevento where she played and worked in the kitchens of family trattorias and cantine. It was during those years the culinary inspirations were being formed.
In 2000 she accepted an invitation to join Temple University Center City (“TUCC”) as an Italian language instructor and began to share her Italian heritage with the Philadelphia community. Her students were lovers of all things Italian and the topic of food was a part of every class. Anna wanted to recreate and share the experience of her own family kitchen directly with her students as teaching tool.
In 2004 Anna approached the Director of the Continuing Education Department at TUCC, about developing a series that combined food and language. “It seemed a natural segue to combine the two things that are essential to an Italian experience: talking and eating. When people are around food they are naturally more relaxed and conversation is inevitable.” TUCC’s first Italian cooking/language class, entitled “Mangiamo in Italiano” was a hit! Students had a marvelous time and asked for more. In a short time, this became Anna’s signature program. Several years later with increased interest in all things food, it was the right time for the birth of La Cucina at the Market. “I saw La Cucina as the dynamic location that could bring together urban professionals and dwellers (who happen to be lovers of food) with a vibrant venue. What could be better than cultivating one’s culinary passion with a group of friends that had the same delicious desire. A plethora of ingredients, an historic farmers market and warm inviting space made Reading Terminal Market the perfect fit for the first La Cucina at the Market.
And so it began…Anna approached management at Reading Terminal Market, with the idea of having a space exclusively dedicated to cooking education and culinary demonstration. The enthusiasm was contagious and the process began.. “I was so pleased to find to find the community embraced my idea. Everyone I approached was excited by the concept and extraordinarily generous in equipping the kitchen.” Public and private classes started in 2008 and through the gracious generosity of local vendors La Cucina at the Market Part 1 began dressed beautifully.  click to enlarge
After 7 years at RTM , it seemed like time for a change. Anna found a wonderful new home in Market East but it needed work, lots of work. So while that process began, a temporary new kitchen came to be. Housed in The Dorrance Hamilton Center for Culinary Enterprise in the Walnut Hill section of Philadelphia. La Cucina ATM spent two years creating many new memories around the table in West Philly.
In 2016, it was time to go home. On July 17, 2016, 1206 Arch Street opened its doors to old and new friends and the tradition resumed. Each month brings new and interesting class options and a breadth of opportunities for culinary activities. So now you know . . . Come visit us soon and lets get cooking! Had an amazing time at La Cucina with Anna and the team. We had a 60 person event, which can be hard to find a partner for, but they fit us in and helped put together a great menu! Not only did people enjoy making dishes and eating together, I've since received a LOT of requests for the recipes - which La Cucina was happy to share. Highly recommend coming here for your next team event! Steven, PMI |
___________________"We had such a great time! Really fun and the food was delicious. We will definitely be back." Janet, Philadelphia ___________________ We had an absolute blast this past Friday. This was fun and very informative and the food was fantastic. The team at LaCucina at the Market could not have been more friendly, more accommodating and more informative. We are already thinking about our next class. Bring your appetite, the food was plentiful! Jim |
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