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Phil's
Gourmet Studio founder and personal chef Philomena Aceto has always been passionate about food. In fact, her earliest memories are of her family's kitchen, where she would watch her Italian grandmother canning tomatoes, roasting peppers over an open fire and rolling out homemade pasta.
While every day was filled with the aromas of freshly prepared
ingredients and the bustle of preparation, holidays were especially
exciting. Grandmother Philomena would spend weeks getting ready to
host a holiday feast. The whole family would gather around a table
laden with homemade dishes filled with ingredients from Philomena's
own backyard garden.
Philomena's food gene runs through the entire Aceto family. Philomena's brother and niece are both culinary school graduates, and her father is a wonderful chef as well. Despite the weight of family tradition, Philomena initially tried to take another route to success. She moved from upstate New York to Dallas in the late 1970's, and started a housecleaning business. Before long, clients were asking her if should could handle catering as well as party clean up. A new business was born!
In 1986, Philomena moved to New York City and went to work for NY Parties, helping cater events at The Met, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and other high-profile venues. The experience proved invaluable, allowing her to develop her own sense of style and cuisine.
Having honed her skills in New York, Philomena returned to Dallas to work as the executive chef at Cafe Georgia. While the restaurant was successful, Philomena soon realized she preferred catering. She started Some Enchanted Evening, a catering company specializing in small intimate gatherings.
Philomena currently teaches Italian cooking classes at her home
studio in East Dallas. Here, students gather for great food,
laughter and learning to embrace the true Italian lifestyle. She is
also working on a cookbook based on the traditions and recipes of
her family and peppered with wonderful family stories.
In May 2007, Philomena launched her Signature Italian product line.
She is currently the President and CEO of Philomena Food Company.
Her dishes are heavily influenced by the hearty "peasant fare" that was the essence of her grandmother's cooking. Tasty, sustaining and easily prepared dishes that feed the body and soul as the core of Philomena's cooking.
Whether she is teaching in the classroom or running her food
company, she is always dedicated to bringing a little bit of Italy
to you.
Funny, outgoing and innovative, Philomena makes it easy to share her passion about food. She is dedicated to preserving the simple traditions of family recipes and looks forward to bringing her message of the power of food to help us live, love and celebrate.
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