Ian MacAllen with Jennifer Prezioso: Red Sauce: How Italian Food Became American

Author Ian MacAllen sits down with Jennifer Prezioso of Nolita's Albanese Meats & Poultry to discuss his book Red Sauce, which tells the story of Italian food arriving in the United States and how your favorite "red sauce" recipes evolved into American staples.

This event will take place in person at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on the 7th Floor.

In Red Sauce, Ian MacAllen traces the evolution of traditional Italian-American cuisine, often referred to as “red sauce Italian,” from its origins in Italy to its transformation in America into a new, distinct cuisine. It is a fascinating social and culinary history exploring the integration of red sauce food into mainstream America alongside the blending of Italian immigrant otherness into a national American identity. The story follows the small parlor restaurants immigrants launched from their homes to large, popular destinations, and eventually to commodified fast food and casual dining restaurants. Some dishes like fettuccine Alfredo and spaghetti alla Caruso owe their success to celebrities, and Italian-American cuisine generally has benefited from a rich history in popular culture.

At this event, MacAllen and Jennifer Prezioso will discuss how and why these foods became part of the national American diet, and focus on the stories, myths, and facts behind classic (and some not so classic) dishes within Italian-American cuisine.

To join the event in-person | Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form 30 minutes before the program.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Ian MacAllen is a writer, designer, and critic. He contributes regularly to the Chicago Review of Books, and has written for Whetstone, Insider, New Jersey Monthly, The Millions, The Brooklyn Rail, and others. He formerly worked as senior food correspondent for the Italian American outlet America Domani, and previously served as Deputy Editor at The Rumpus. His maternal grandfather was born in Bagnoli del Trigno in Molise, Italy and his maternal grandmother’s family hails from Naples and Sicily. He is descended from a line of Sicilian Strega. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and son. 

Jennifer Prezioso is a storyteller and 4th generation owner/operator of Albanese Meats And Poultry, the last butcher store in Manhattan’s Little Italy. Now in its 100th year, the shop was opened on Elizabeth Street by her Sicilian great grandparents Mary and Vincenzo Albanese, and continued by her grandfather Moe, whom Jennifer began helping in 2017. Her enthusiasm for her family legacy is what has customers returning as much as the quality products she provides. As a result, her storytelling has been featured on camera for CBS Sunday Morning, Vice’s Munchies, The Rachael Ray Show, and in text for Eater, M Magazine, The Kitchn, La Cucina Italiana and other magazines worldwide. A lover of fashion, she has also worked with brands such as Adidas, Nike, Woolrich, and NYC-based Kid Super, and has designed exclusive merchandise for the store. Jennifer believes that connecting and creating community of all generations is at the heart of her purpose at the store, and she looks forward to growing that in the years to come.

GET THE BOOK

• Borrow: NYPL Catalog


• E-Book app: SimplyE, available on iOS and Android

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

In Person

• Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue.


• You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.


• This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

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Please submit all press inquiries to Amy Geduldig at least 48 hours before the event: email amygeduldig@nypl.org.

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All programs are subject to change or cancellation.

The 7 Stories Up Series at SNFL is made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).