John Agresto

John Agresto has worn many hats over the years, including teacher, writer, university president, husband, father, and grandfather. Through it all, one passion has remained constant: cooking.

Growing up in a rough section of Brooklyn, his early adventures included flying pigeons from the roof of his family’s tenement building. But he was just as fascinated by what was happening in neighborhood kitchens. As a boy, he spent countless hours asking the women around him to show him how they prepared their meals, absorbing techniques and traditions that would shape his lifelong love of food.

By the time he was in college, he had already developed a knack for finding and preparing food on his own. He learned to gather edible weeds, catch and cook fish for his roommates, and even make his own wine and brew beer long before it became fashionable.

As his professional life expanded to include roles as a college professor, author, university president, and local judge, cooking remained an essential part of who he was. Today, he continues to share that passion by hosting occasional cooking classes in his home in New Mexico.

This book is his second Italian cookbook.