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Massimo Bottura is known for directing everything from the most creative and sophisticated cuisine from Osteria Francescana in Modena, to the most conscious and supportive through his community culinary project ‘Refettorio Harlem‘. Now, it is back in the news after introducing a new cast of chefs including the likes of JJ Johnson of Harlem’s Fieldtrip, Nadav Greenberg of Shmoné and Anthony Mangieri of Una Pizza Napoletana.
Refettorio Harlem opened the doors of its ‘restaurant-dining room’ in 2020 to feed everyone in the neighborhood who couldn’t afford to dine out, or for people most in need, residing on the margins of social exclusion.
Refettorio’s first U.S. project is part of Bottura’s network of “community centers to inspire and empower human potential.” His NY kitchen is located in the historic Emanuel AME Church on 119th Street in Harlem and offers three-course dinners three nights a week. A recent December menu included a first course of grilled romaine lettuce and arugula salad with blue cheese, followed by chicken on lobster bread with sautéed cabbage and carrots, with raspberry cream pie for dessert.
Harlem Chef’s Lab
In Harlem, the chef will run a new initiative in 2025 to raise funds and awareness for Refettorio through the revolutionary ‘Harlem Chef’s Lab‘ project.
The chef collective will bring together New York’s best culinary talent to produce monthly collaborative events. Members include JJ Johnson of Harlem’s Fieldtrip, Nadav Greenberg of Shmoné, Anthony Mangieri of Una Pizza Napoletana, Vijay Kumar of Semma, Alessio Rosetti of La Devozione, Eric Tran of Falansai, Mattia Agazzi of Gucci Osteria Los Angeles, and more chefs from Michelin star and James Beard award-winning restaurants.